Youth demand integrity revolution as EACC leads inclusive dialogue, urging students to fight corruption in Kenya

Students are calling for a national integrity revolution, highlighting the growing burden of corruption on everyday life during the Youth Integrity Dialogue at the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM) on Tuesday.

The forum, organized by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) with support from the EU Delegation to Kenya and UNODC, brought together youth leaders and students to discuss Kenya’s long-standing fight against graft. Speakers stressed that young people must play central roles in shaping ethical leadership and holding elected officials accountable.

Philemon Savior Ogundo, a TUM student, said citizens bear the brunt of corruption, adding that some leaders only act ethically under scrutiny. “Ethical leadership is about decisions based on public interest. We are the architects of today, not tomorrow,” he said.

Through skits and discussions, participants emphasized youth responsibility, integrity, and the need to challenge bribery and tokenism. TUM Vice-Chancellor Laila Abubakar highlighted universities as spaces to instill values early, urging character-driven leadership.

EU and UNODC representatives reinforced that youth empowerment must come from the youth themselves, stressing that Kenya’s young population, which constitutes 75 per cent under 35, is the driving force for immediate change. EACC Advocate Mwongela Mbiti urged young Kenyans to demand stronger values, not just stronger laws, to create a future free from corruption.