Students have been challenged to reject corruption, dishonesty, and academic fraud and instead embrace integrity as a foundation for national transformation during the launch of the Ethics and Integrity Club at Mount Kenya University (MKU).
The launch, themed “Rebuilding Trust Through Ethical Leadership,” brought together leaders from the anti-corruption sector, academia, and government who urged young people to become champions of ethical conduct in society.
Speaking during the event, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chairperson Dr. David Oginde challenged students to take a firm stand against corruption, warning that dishonesty continues to erode the country’s moral and economic fabric.
“Stand up against corruption. Corruption may promise quick rewards, but it destroys a nation,” said Dr. Oginde.
He expressed concern over findings showing that many young people increasingly view dishonest practices as acceptable, including tax evasion, corruption, fake academic certificates, and plagiarism.
“It is sad that surveys reveal many young people do not see harm in dishonesty. We are witnessing an upsurge in plagiarism among university students, while at EACC we are overwhelmed by investigations involving fake certificates, including cases of people holding very senior positions,” he said.
Dr. Oginde questioned why students would pursue shortcuts instead of earning genuine qualifications through hard work and commitment.
“Why go to university and fail to earn a genuine certificate that truly reflects who you are? No nation has ever thrived through corruption. Greatness is built on honesty, hard work, and trust,” he added.
MKU Principal for Corporate Services and Director of Partnerships and Linkages, Prof. Peter Wanderi, said the university had already developed a common unit on ethics, integrity, and responsible citizenship to strengthen value-based education.
He said the course unit had been approved by the university management and further endorsed by the Deans Committee, following consultations between the university leadership and a high-level delegation from the ethics sector.
Prof. Wanderi noted that the initiative aligns with MKU’s institutional values and commitment to integrity.
“We need to keep talking about integrity at all times and also practice it. I am happy that even the MKU anthem speaks about integrity, which reflects our institutional values,” he said.
He added that the collaboration between MKU and ethics institutions is expected to enhance awareness, strengthen institutional partnerships, and encourage student-led integrity initiatives and policy discussions within universities. “As a university, we are ready to support these efforts,” he said.
Principal Secretary in the State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy, Fikirini Jacobs, urged young people to embrace values and ethical leadership that can positively transform the country.
“I beseech you with humility to move forward while holding firmly to values and ethos that can transform the country. Change must happen in a manner that does not become disastrous to us,” said Jacobs.
He challenged students to change their mindset and approach national issues differently, urging them to see opportunities rather than obstacles.
“See the cup as half full, not half empty. Appoint yourself, just as I did, to be an ambassador of change because Kenya will not change without your participation,” he said.
Jacobs called on students to walk together in promoting integrity and national transformation.
“Let us be comrades in this journey and uphold integrity together,” he added.
The Ethics and Integrity Club launch is part of broader efforts under the Kenya Leadership Integrity Forum (KLIF), a partnership and governance initiative aimed at fostering a unified and integrated fight against corruption across institutions
