NAIROBI, Jan. 31(Xinhua) -- Kenyan investors' lobby on Thursday launched a new roadmap that seeks to re-energize the war against corruption through strategic partnerships, community engagement and enforcement of deterrent laws.
The investors who are behind the formation of a multi-sectoral initiative to fight corruption said in Nairobi they will focus on targeted interventions like empowering whistle blowers, public awareness and strengthening of prosecutorial agencies to sustain the fight against embezzlement of public funds.
"We have reached out to key allies in the fight against corruption and have set out specific targets that should be achieved in the near term," said Lee Karuri, co-chair of Multi-Sectoral Initiative Against Corruption (MSIAC).
The MSIAC held a national anti-corruption summit from Jan. 24 to 25 to brainstorm on innovative strategies needed to win the war against a vice that is entrenched in both public and private sectors.
President Uhuru Kenyatta closed the summit with a rallying call for concerted efforts by key stakeholders to eradicate corruption that is to blame for a 30 percent loss in Kenya's annual budget.
Karuri said the investors lobby has convened a working group to implement a new master-plan against graft targeting key sectors like transport, health, education, media and law enforcement agencies.
"Ultimately, the war against corruption will be won if commitment from all stakeholders is sustained. Our new roadmap to fight graft sets out specific goals that each sector should achieve within the stipulated timelines," said Karuri.
Irene Wanyoike, chair of Association of Professional Societies in East Africa (APSEA), said there is a strong consensus among policymakers, industry and civil society leaders on the need to inject vitality in the fight against corruption at all levels.
"We are in agreement that corruption is having devastating impact on our economy and social fabric hence the need to involve everyone to fight it and hopefully achieve better outcomes," said Wanyoike.
She revealed that a national campaign to promote ethical conduct targeting professional bodies and academic institutions will underpin the next phase of anti-graft war in Kenya.
