Members of Parliament have said the fight against corruption requires more than just goodwill;  it demands tangible and demonstrable actions from the nation's leadership.

During debate on the Report of the Kenya Delegation to the Parliamentary Dialogue on the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and the Annual General Meeting of Global Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC), held in Doha, Qatar from March 8th to 9th, 2023, Members underscored the the urgency for the nation's leadership, including Parliament, to unite Kenyans in combating corruption, which they argue is perilously eroding the very fabric of the nation.

“This House comprises individuals at the pinnacle of our nation's leadership. Therefore, if we confront corruption head-on and with greater seriousness, I am confident that the entire country can rally behind us,” said the Leader of Minority Party, Hon. Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja).

He added that corruption remains a grave menace to the nation's existence, comparable to cancer that can consume the entire fabric of the country if left unchecked.

Hon. John Makali (Kanduyi) raised concerns about the prevailing legal framework, particularly the efficiency of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in eradicating corruption. He called for a broader focus on ethics and values, suggesting that these principles should be instilled within institutions of learning, including schools.

Hon. Caroline Ng’elechei (Elgeyo Marakwet) decried wastage resulting from corruption and noted that corrupt individuals often resort to legal maneuvers to prevent anti-corruption agencies from investigating them.

Hon. Dekow Mohamed (Garissa) expressed regret that Kenya has embraced corruption, even as some individuals appear to use anti-corruption rhetoric to advance their own agendas. He stressed the necessity of honesty in confronting this problem and proposed stringent consequences for corrupt individuals, including severe punishments.

A number of Members proposed the introduction of anti-corruption education in the school curriculum to instill moral values against corruption from an early age.