EACC urges religious leaders to reject illicit funds ahead of 2027 elections

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Chairperson Dr David Oginde has called on religious leaders to reject illicit funds and prevent their legitimization in the lead-up to the 2027 General Election. Oginde warned that politicians accepting money from corrupt sources could be pressured to reward their financiers through inflated tenders, manipulated procurement processes, and other corrupt deals.

He emphasized that a society built on integrity cannot be sustained if it benefits from illicit resources. Oginde urged political candidates to focus on leadership, values, and principles rather than their financial strength during election campaigns. He emphasized that illicit wealth can create an unfair advantage for wealthy candidates, distorting voters' ability to choose leaders based solely on merit.

The EACC chairperson urged religious leaders and other influential stakeholders to strongly oppose the financing of campaigns through illicit means, as accepting such funds could undermine efforts to promote integrity in public leadership. The National Stakeholders’ Convention in Nairobi addressed the topic "Corruption and Politics in Kenya: How Illicit Money Drives Democracy and Viable Mitigations," bringing together over 150 stakeholders.

The forum, organized by the National Council of Churches of Kenya, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims, aimed to discuss strategies for promoting credible, peaceful, and democratic elections.