Editor,
Many statements have been issued about corruption. In fact, many books, journals and articles have also been written about the vice. Above all agencies mandated to fight the scourge such as the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Drug Enforcement Commission, the Auditor Generals office among others have been established as well. But the question that one may ask is; if all these factors are in place, why are the levels of corruption in our country still high? The answer to this question is more than simple: it is because morals in our country have been very much compromised.
Indeed, many of our people have lost both integrity and professional morals. Since morals have been very much compromised, agencies that fight this scourge are failing to eliminate it favorably for it is now beyond their capacity.
Hence, in order to successfully fight corruption, there is high need for a thorough, complete and radical moral revolution so as to change attitudes and social disposition of the general citizenry.
In order to perfectly achieve this, there should be a complete overhaul of our country’s education system to formulate one that would be able to inculcate ethical values in the citizenry right from childhood. This is because, as the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates once said, people are easily molded when they are still young and impressions that are made on them leave a permanent mark on them.
We must then utilize our informal and formal education systems in the country. In education, great emphasis should be placed on providing suitable conditions that would enable students to internalize whatsoever they are taught. This means that all educational training and training institutions in the country must be able to incorporate lessons on corruption in the curriculum. This will enable learners to have a wider knowledge and understanding of corruption and related vices.
Besides, this system will enable learners to be equipped with a sharpened sense of direction, which eventually minimizes social malfunctions and, thus, enhances national development. There is no doubt that products of this system will definitely learn to be accountable and transparent in all their endeavors.
Meanwhile, in as far as informal education is concerned; parents must also join in the fight against corruption by striving to impart good morals in their children on a daily basis in their respective homes.
They must strive to teach their young the importance of incorruptibility and accountability as part of the essence of self-respect. Further, other key institutions such as the Church, Non-Governmental Organizations, schools, and the media must as well ensure that they champion the promotion of ethical values in their services. This development would definitely make citizens to undergo a proper human integral development and formation that is cardinal in forming honest, truthful, selfless and dedicated leaders.
This may seem to be a very difficult undertaking. But, it can be achieved if there is a very good political will and time especially that virtues, develop and accumulate in one who invests time, effort and other resources, even financial ones.
Therefore, seriousness should be attached to this process by those in authority if we are to achieve desirable results in our quest to eradicate corruption in our beloved country.
Patrick Mupula
Tangaza University College
Nairobi, Kenya
Tangaza University College
Nairobi, Kenya