EACC Backs Campaign Finance Reforms, Calls for Stronger Integrity to Defeat Corruption
EACC Chairperson Dr. David Oginde Speaking during the commemoration of the 2026 African Anti-Corruption Day in Nairobi on Monday July 13, 2026.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has backed efforts to regulate campaign financing and called for stronger partnerships to promote integrity, saying collective action is essential in tackling corruption and safeguarding Kenya’s democratic processes.
Speaking during the commemoration of the 2026 African Anti-Corruption Day in Nairobi, EACC Chairperson Dr. David Oginde said regulating campaign financing would help create a level political playing field by ensuring elections are determined by the will of voters rather than financial influence.
“It is a way of levelling the ground for everybody so that when a person wins an election, you know that it is a person chosen by the people and is going to provide leadership according to the desires of the people, rather than because they had more money than others,” said Dr. Oginde.
The event, organised by the Kenya Leadership Integrity Forum (KLIF) in partnership with the EACC, brought together representatives from government, the private sector, civil society, faith-based organisations, professional bodies, the media and development partners under the African Union theme, “Scaling Up the Promotion of Integrity and Anti-Corruption Efforts Across Africa.”
Dr. Oginde clarified that the day was a commemoration rather than a celebration, saying it provides African countries with an opportunity to reflect on the continent’s corruption challenges and identify practical measures to strengthen integrity and accountability.
He said Africa must work towards improving its reputation by building institutions that inspire confidence among investors and development partners, noting that corruption continues to undermine trade, investment and economic growth across the continent.
“It is important for us as a continent that we work towards building integrity so that people can trust us to come and do business with us, invest in our nations and develop our people. We must become part of a respected global community built on integrity,” he said.
The EACC Chairperson also challenged faith-based organisations, oversight agencies and the media to strengthen their role in promoting ethical leadership and exposing corruption, saying defeating graft requires a whole-of-society approach.
EACC Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Abdi Ahmed Mohamud said the Commission has significantly strengthened corruption prevention, investigations, institutional reforms, public education and international cooperation over the past three years.
“The fight against corruption cannot succeed through enforcement alone. It requires strategic collaboration between government institutions, the private sector, civil society, professional bodies, the media and every citizen,” said Mohamud.
He said the Commission has recovered public assets worth billions of shillings while preserving additional assets suspected to have been acquired through corrupt means. He added that EACC has strengthened corruption risk assessments across public institutions, expanded integrity training within government and enhanced the monitoring of major public investments.
Mohamud described the recently enacted Conflict of Interest Act as a major milestone in strengthening Kenya’s integrity framework, saying it provides stronger safeguards against conflicts between public duty and private interests while promoting transparency and accountability in public service.
He also highlighted Kenya’s leadership role in regional anti-corruption efforts through the East African Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities and said the newly established African Centre for Research and Anti-Corruption Studies in Nairobi will support research, innovation and African-led solutions to corruption challenges across the continent.
Responding to questions from journalists, Dr. Oginde said the Commission is concerned about the growing circulation of large amounts of cash, noting that cash transactions are difficult to trace and are often exploited in corrupt dealings. He said EACC is exploring measures to limit excessive cash transactions while investigations continue into suspected misuse of money during recent by-elections.
The Chairperson also disclosed that the Commission is working closely with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and other institutions to strengthen ethics, integrity and accountability ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The two leaders urged Kenyans to reject corruption, report unethical conduct and embrace integrity in their daily lives, saying a united national effort is critical to building transparent institutions and achieving sustainable development.
