This week, Kenya turns 60. Indeed a pivotal moment for deep reflection on our nation’s values and the pervasive issue of corruption that has plagued our governance and society.

Six decades on we are staring at the monster of institutionalized corruption that has seeped into every facet of Kenyan life, eroding trust, hampering progress, and stifling development.

According to EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak, corruption is not merely a stain on Kenya’s history; it surpasses even the scars left by past events like the tragic post-election violence of 2008.

It stands as a barrier to progress that exceeds even the persistent challenges of illiteracy, hunger and disease that we continue to suffer.

Corruption has penetrated vital sectors like education, where fraudulent academic qualifications and exam malpractices prevail.

It has corroded the foundations of meritocracy, fostering an environment where dishonesty thrives over hard work and integrity.

EACC acknowledges that corruption has infiltrated even sacred institutions like the church, a reflection of the extent of this moral decay.

As the scourge of corruption continues to destroy the depths of our nation’s soul, other nations continue to advance and flourish.

We are, meanwhile, left grappling with the fallout of a systemic issue that drains resources, hampers growth, and impedes the realization of our nation’s full potential.

It is time for a collective soul-searching and a commitment to rebuilding a moral fabric that has been torn by greed and ethical decay.

As Kenya turns 60, we must confront our demons. It is time to reexamine and reaffirm our national values and hold them not as mere rhetoric but as guiding principles that shape governance, societal conduct, and individual actions.

We must collectively agree that, as a society, it is time to have some shame.

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