The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has launched the first Nyanza Universities Integrity Clubs Conference that aims at nurturing character and behaviour of young people.
The two-day conference themed “Modelling of Integrity through University Integrity Clubs” was held today at Tom Mboya University within Homa Bay town and projected to be wound, Thursday.
The Integrity Clubs in schools and higher learning institutions was introduced by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with EACC, to help curb corruption challenges at early stages.
This event brought together student leaders from seven universities in Nyanza, including Tom Mboya, Maseno, Kisii, Rongo, Great Lakes University of Kisumu, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and Uzima.
Speaking during the official opening of the Conference, the Director Preventive Services at EACC, Vincent Okongo, said the Conference gives them a platform to share best experiences across integrity clubs in various universities in the greater Nyanza region.
According to a survey by EACC released in December last year, the corruption challenge is mainly witnessed in the universities among the youths.
“The industry is full of corruption and most of them are from universities, a situation that makes us bring together university leaders for training,” said Okong’o.
The Director stated that the program is a long-term Policy of the Commission, engineered towards a value-driven society.
“I’m glad that some impacts of the Commission’s efforts have been witnessed, especially the reduction of strikes in the learning institutions,” the Director stated.
He added that the youths can uphold integrity by becoming champions in the society, enhancing positive values and also through active participation in leadership.
Homa Bay County Commissioner, Moses Lilan, said that tackling corruption is the right and the responsibility of everyone and it is only through cooperation and involvement of each and every person in the society that the vice can be controlled.
Lilan stated that corruption violates human rights, threatens security, drives organized crime, corrodes our economy, and crushes opportunities for development, thereby, trapping people in cycles of inequality and poverty.
“Integrity is earned and not purchased. You have to do a lot of work to instil it in yourself,” said Lilan.
He pointed out that corruption must stop, because the communities are losing resources and countless opportunities, to develop and secure better lives.
Other dignitaries present included, Prof. Bernard Muok (Homa Bay County Secretary), Johnson Njuguna (Ministry of Education), University Vice Chancellors, Charles Ochola (the host) and Prof. Samwel Gudu (Rongo University) and the Kisumu Platform Director, Stephen G. Agong.
By Brian Odhiambo
