- University students have been urged to reject corruption, plagiarism and fake academic credentials.
- The call was made during the launch of the Ethics and Integrity Club at Mount Kenya University.
- Leaders from government, academia and the anti-corruption sector challenged young people to champion ethical leadership and national transformation.
By John Kamau
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.
EACC Raises Concern Over Growing Dishonesty
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.
“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.
Youth Called to Champion National Transformation
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.
READ ALSO: West Pokot mourns former St Francis School headteacher Zablon Tomeyan
He challenged students to change their mindset and approach national issues differently, urging them to see opportunities rather than obstacles.
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
>>> Click here to read more informed opinions on the country’s education landscape
