87% Of Kenyans Are Potential Whistleblowers But Scared

Kenya Bribery Index 2019 reported that 87 percent of Kenyans see corruption incidents but keep silent about it with some vowing never to tell even when a reward is announced for the same.

Compared to a similar survey conducted in 2017 where 94 percent of the respondents noted that they never reported corruption cases to authorities, the 2019 survey points to a slight improvement.

Wakesho Kililo from Transparency International Kenya says the reason many Kenyans are scared of being whistleblowers in corruption cases is that there is no law that protects them as soon as they come out.

“A whistleblower is someone who comes out to bring to the surface corruption incidences or any other evil in society. Currently, there is no specific law that protects such persons. In most cases, they are on their own,” Wakesho told Radio Waumini.

According to Wakesho, whistleblowers in Kenya face a myriad of challenges including being threatened, fired from their jobs, killed, or prosecuted. She says the current laws are punitive and disadvantageous to whistleblowers hindering the war against corruption.

“There is no doubt that Chapter 6 of the Constitution of Kenya has all the qualities of a country and leaders we need but that has not stopped corruption from happening. Basically, the Constitution is not clear on those who tell on corruption and bad leadership,” she added.

June 23, 2021, is World Whistleblower Day and Kenya is expected to join the rest of the world in celebrating the same. The day is coming at a time when an Accountant by the name of Spencer from Maasai Mara University was fired after he revealed a syndicate led by the Vice-Chancellor that had misused at least 100 million shillings.

“For whistleblowers to come out and expose corruption, we need a law that will protect them. A bill is in place and we call upon all the stakeholders to support it. We need it,” said Wakesho.

Read More: Why Kenya Needs A Comprehensive Whistleblower Protection Law