Joseph Kioko, a partner with PTD and a member of Makueni Civil Society Network addressing the Media. Photo by Stanley Mumo. 
By Stanley Mumo
A new anti-corruption initiative targeting students in institutions of higher learning has been launched in Makueni County, aiming to nurture a generation of ethical and accountable future leaders.
Speaking at the Makueni County Social Hall, Ziporah Abaki from the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Foundation said the project is being implemented in partnership with Partnership for Transformation and Development (PTD) and the Makueni Youth Network under the TUNU Project.
She noted that the program seeks to establish integrity clubs in colleges and universities across the county to instill values of accountability and transparency among students who will become tomorrow’s leaders.
“We are working with institutions of higher learning to form integrity clubs that will shape students into responsible leaders. This project is a starting point in the fight against corruption, especially on matters of accountability and transparency at institutional and county levels,” Abaki said.
Joseph Kioko, a partner with PTD and a member of Makueni Civil Society Network, explained that the initiative is supported through a program funded by the European Union and KASS Kenya.
He said the program focuses on capacity-building and educating students in colleges and universities about the dangers of corruption and the importance of integrity.
“This program is meant to educate students so that they can have a better future both in their schools and in society. When young people understand corruption and ethical practices early, they can build a stronger and more transparent nation,” Kioko said.
Representing civil society, Justus Mutuku of the Makueni Civil Society Network said the forum brought together institutions to discuss corruption and explore practical ways of addressing it within learning institutions and the wider community.
“We have come here to initiate programs in our institutions and establish clubs that will be focal points in addressing corruption at institutional, societal and national levels. These clubs will help students learn about the vices of corruption and the value of ethical practices from a young age,” Mutuku stated.
Faith Moses, a senior administrator at Makueni University College, formerly Wote Campus of South Eastern Kenya University, welcomed the initiative and pledged full support from her institution.
“We appreciate the invitation by PTD to engage in fighting corruption through the youth. We will form clubs within our institution to help nurture transformed leadership for tomorrow and build a non-corrupt generation for the future,” she said.
The leaders expressed optimism that the integrity clubs will strengthen collaboration between civil society and educational institutions, creating an integrated society founded on ethics, transparency and responsible leadership.
The initiative marks a significant step in empowering young people in Makueni County to become champions of integrity and drivers of positive change in Kenya’s fight against corruption.
