Youth Use Art to Tackle Corruption at Nakuru’s International Anti-Corruption Day Event
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At a time where corruption is on the high in the country with those in leadership being coiled around it, youth have come out to use art to pass awareness messages and inform the society on matters of corruption.
This urgent plea for change took centre stage during the International Anti-Corruption Day commemoration held in Nakuru.
The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including youth advocates, religious leaders, civil society organizations, and media representatives such as AMWIK, Transparency International Kenya (TI), the Global Compact Network Kenya (GCNK), and the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK).
Spoken word piece, stage play and music were the strings played to pass the message on corruption, how it happens but most importantly the way forward as youths.
The effects of corruption on the health sector was amplified with most decisions centring on how the sectors can and has been affected by corruption.
One of the play stages at the event was themed around poor health status in the country, demonstrating how corruption is choking service delivery to citizens.
Undoubtedly, the health sector has been heavily affected by corruption.
On the other hand, Brian Kibera ,from Transparency International noted through the USAWA projects they aim at uniting society against Fraud, Waste and Abuse in the health sector. He notes that empowering the youth is the first step in the fight against corruption.
“The youth have borne the brunt of discrimination when it comes to corruption. They fall amongst the cadre of those most affected by corruption. Therefore, ours is to empower them and latter partner with them to ensure they are part of the solution in the years to come,” says Brian
In an interview, Ronald Sunguti, Chairman of the Inter-Religious Council in the South Rift pointed out the illining health sector could be salvaged if funds are to better use than being embezzled or flashed in events. More on it pointing out the extravagance by elected leaders in the country.
“Rather than millions being donated in churches, this could better serve in hospitals to improve service delivery within the health sector. Say the money is put to fund cancer centres, cancer patients would receive treatment at a cost that many would afford,” he notes
Noting the role the media play in the fight for corruption, the Program Coordinator for Association of Media Women in Kenya (AMWIK) ,Lorna Sempele, pointed out the need for media to package corruption stories in a palatable way ,so that Mwanachi can quite understand its impact.
“Rather than quoting the money in billions of shillings, break it down to how its expenditure could serve the nation positively. As the media we need to educate ourselves ,since health is the second most corrupt function in this country today and reporting it right would create positive impact in the country ,” she says
Further she urged journalists to check on what counties receive from the National government, borrowing and international funding against how they spend the money, especially in the health sector, which the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) ranks as the second most corrupt in Kenya.
Quantifying what is lost through corruption and what it can do for the nation,the CEO of the Center for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance, Paul Masesse, notes that mega projects could be done for the citizens of Kenya.
“Kenya loses sh 2 billion daily to corruption. That’s about sh 728 billion annually, almost double the funds allocated to counties this year. Imagine if we invested that money in healthcare, we could build a fully equipped Level 4 hospital every day,” he said.
He concludes by noting together we can.If we put the talk to action, a better health care can be realized .He emphasized on the need to act together in the fight against corruption.
BY Purity Wanjiru
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