1000 Voices For Intergrity

Background Information

Corruption is an endemic problem plaguing the Kenyan society. Efforts to address this challenge have met stiff opposition from various corruption networks. Corruption, described as “the abuse of entrusted power for private gain,” can be classified as grand, petty and political, depending on the amounts of money lost and the sector where it occurs.

Transparency International (TI) conducts annual surveys to determine the corruption indices within member countries world over. These surveys provide information about the perception people have regarding the level of corruption within the public sector in these specific nations. Figures for the 2018 Corruption Perception Index survey show that Kenya scored 27 points out of a possible 100. The figures from TI also show that Kenya has consistently polled poorly, returning an average index of 22.82 for surveys conducted from 1996 to 2018.

The challenge of corruption in Kenya has not spared its youth.

A recent survey among young adults suggests that 50% of youth in Kenya believe it doesn’t matter how one makes money as long as one does not end up in jail. The results of the survey also indicated that 47% of the youth in the country admire those who make money through hook or crook, (including hustling); 73% are afraid to stand up for what is right for fear of retribution; only 40% strongly believe that it is important to pay taxes. The survey results also suggested that 35% of the youth would readily take or give a bribe. “The greatest wealth and strength of any nation is its youth. The future of a nation lies in the hands of its posterity. The quality of its youth determines the kind of future, the nation will have. Therefore, if we want to ensure a bright future for our country, we first need to empower our youth. The youth of any nation and society are its potential energy.”

Against this background, we see a need for initiatives that will serve to unite Kenyans, young and old alike, in a fight against this vice, and provide platforms where the call to lead a life of integrity is emphasized. The Nairobi Advent Ensemble foundation intends to run a campaign dubbed “1,000 Voices for Kenya: Uadilifu ni Nguvu.” Our preferred medium of communication is music and the spoken word aimed at reaching young people aged 13-24 years. The power of music was made apparent by the integral role that was played by Erick Wainaina’s “Nchi ya kitu kidogo” in providing a platform where people could talk about corruption openly.

Objectives

The primary goal of the “1,000 Voices for Kenya: Integrity is strength” project is to establish and nurture a cohort of young integrity champions who will champion Integrity clubs in schools, using and disseminating the content developed on social-media and mass media platforms.