Concerted Efforts Needed to Address Corruption Vice

Industry and Government have lauded the need for concerted efforts in the war against corruption. Global Compact Network Kenya Representative and Chief Executive of Kenya Association of Manufacturers Phyllis Wakiaga said, “We need to all recognize that corruption is one of the greatest challenges that is stifling the success of the Kenyan economy.”

She made these remarks during the 2-day United Nations Global Compact’s 17th Anti-Corruption and Working Group Meeting and International Anti-Corruption Conference that came to a close today in Nairobi. Officially opening the Conference yesterday, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta reiterated government’s commitment towards fighting corruption.  “Corruption not only hurts business,  discourages innovation and eats into profits but it weakens Government,” he added. He called on the government, private sector and the media to work together to combat corruption.

President Uhuru appreciated the UN Global Compact’s spirit of partnership between government, business and citizens. “My Administration has fully embraced that spirit.  Since we went to war with corruption, my Government has consulted widely with the private sector.  We have heard your concerns.  We have taken your advice. Indeed, we have taken on the draft Bribery Bill you suggested.  It is now at the Attorney-General’s office,being prepared for laying before Parliament,” he added.

He welcomed the new code of conduct which Government is adopting as part of its regulations under our procurement law. “I would ask you to ensure that you hold our international friends and partners to the same code: that means direct, unrelenting pressure to bring tax avoidance and tax evasion to an end.”

Ms. Wakiaga reiterated the underlying factor which is to create an environment which attracts investments, creates jobs, and helps implement Vision 2030 ultimately resulting in a better Kenya – newly industrializing, a middle income country, that is providing a higher quality of life to all its citizens.

According to Mr. Bob Collymore, UN Global Compact Board Member and the CEO of Safaricom Limited, corruption is the silent monster that has quietly become the single biggest obstacle to real economic and social development around the world. It undermines fair competition, distorts development priorities and impedes long-term foreign and domestic investment.

“As the private sector, we often blame governments for their lack of transparency and we can be very quick to leave it to them to manage graft. But if we are to put the government to task to promote anti-corruption measures and establish systems of good governance, we must be willing to stand alongside them and lead by example,” he added.

The recently adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) define global sustainable development priorities and aspirations till 2030 and seek to mobilize global efforts around a common set of goals and targets. The adoption of the SDGs also marks a turning point in the global development agenda, with the timely inclusion of an aim to reduce corruption and promote transparency and accountability. The SDGs call for worldwide action among governments, business and civil society for concerted and collaborative action towards global development.

Business commit to operate ethically by signing on to the UN Global Compact and the Code of Ethics. 200 companies to date have signed on to these instruments. “The importance of a critical mass on a cause such as this cannot be over emphasised and we hope that more companies will sign up to lead the way, and strengthen private sector ownership through the Global Compact Chapter in Kenya,” said Ms. Wakiaga.

Going forward, the Global Compact Kenya Network will among other things: Conduct  Anti-corruption Risk assessment trainings and interventions to map and address areas of greatest vulnerability for business; Lobby the government to give merit to firms adhering to ethical business conduct and Support in the review and adoption of a new Kenyan Law against corruption targeting the private sector.

The meeting generally agreed that the issue of corruption boils down to moral values. We all need to have the right values and inculcate a lifestyle of doing what is right in the younger generation if we are to secure our future.

The event was jointly hosted by the United Nations Global Compact in partnership with the Global Compact Network Kenya and Safaricom Limited. It featured high level panel discussions on various topics including: The role of the private sector in implementing the sustainable development goals and advancing the fight against corruption; The role of whistleblowers in the fight against corruption; Doing business in emerging markets; The role of the private sector in combating illegal killing and trade of wildlife and Transparency in beneficial ownership.

It brought together national and international members of the private sector, government representatives, international organisations, development partners and civil society organisations.