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NGOs have a pivotal role in exposing and fighting corruption. While they might not have the teeth to enforce consequences on those found culpable of stealing public funds, there’s a lot that they can do.
International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ)
One of the biggest roles they can play is exposure. A very good example is the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). ICIJ is a consortium of investigative journalists who are drawn from all parts of the world. It’s a non-governmental, non-profit organization that has done a lot of work in exposing the corrupt elites in different countries.
You’ll remember the leaked Panama papers and more recently the Pandora papers. These are millions of records that show how the high and mighty in different countries use tax havens to stash millions of looted cash. They hide them in countries like Panama and the British Virgin Islands by masking them as Shell companies.
From ICIJ’s expose, most notably, the Kenyatta family was mentioned adversely in the Pandora Papers as having an investment portfolio of at least $30 million which was held in off-shore accounts.
They also partner with different local media in various countries so that they can pass the message to locals in the best, most effective way. Here in Kenya, they have listed Daily Nation as one of their partners.
Transparency International
Transparency International is a global non-profit organization that is passionate about creating a corruption-free world. The organization has an autonomous Kenyan chapter that is called Transparency International Kenya (TI-Kenya).
TI-Kenya has been in operation for more than 20 years having been started in 1999. They have adopted an advocacy approach and their vision is to create a corruption-free country. Currently, they have more than five offices in the country and apart from advocacy they use other strategies to achieve their aims.
They engage directly with government, civil society and other stakeholders by coming up with potent strategies to fight corruption. They also educate the public by engaging in civic education as part of the larger effort to galvanize the public against corruption. This plays a key role in raising awareness and sensitizing the masses, which are vital factor when it comes to the fight against corruption.
Amnesty International
Amnesty International opened its Kenyan chapter in 2009 which was a year after the Kenyan post-election violence. The international organization which was founded in London, United Kingdom, specializes in fighting for the rights of people.
As a result of corruption, there are many vices that are born. Discrimination based on class, impunity, social injustice are some of the negative fruits and by-products of a corrupt regime and the appendages of a kleptocracy like the one we have in Kenya.
Amnesty uses advocacy to tackle these vices by prioritizing defending human rights. “Working within the broader national and international human rights movement, we are known for our demand for adequate housing rights, mainstreaming essential services and security of women and girls in the urban settlements and protection of displaced persons and refugees and human rights education in Kenya schools and universities,” writes Amnesty.
In Kenya there have been extrajudicial killings aimed at protecting powerful people in government or those who are well connected and hold a lot of sway with decision makers in government. Amnesty has been on the forefront to expose and demand justice. They also protect the most vulnerable in our community such as those who are forcefully evicted from their homes by government.
Integrity Action
This organization partners with local organizations to help residents fight and expose corruption. They choose an education approach where they teach residents what corrution is. Additionally they help them stand up for their rights courageously.
“With Community Integrity Building training, they are empowering communities like Lunga Lunga by giving them a powerful tool they’ve never had before: a voice. In communities where they’re used to having a high failure rate, they’re not used to having a voice. If we can make the community members the change-makers, it raises expectations and then this has many other positive effects,” writes Integrity Action.
Conclusion
In 2014, the immediate former Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki Moon made a stunning, indellible statement about corruption. Moon called corrution a “a global phenomenon that strikes hardest at the poor, hinders inclusive economic growth and robs essential services of badly needed funds.”
The World Economic Forum estimates that corruption equals more than 5% of global Gross Domestic Product which translates to more than $1trillion dollars paid in bribes every year.
Corrutption costs more than a country can afford to pay for. It demands that we go more kiometers than we’re willing to go. It promises heaven but delivers the pits of hell. As you go to vote on 9th August this year, vote for leaders who don’t have the taint of corruption anywhere in their record. Take responsibility and stop the cycle with your vote.
