As Mount Kenya University introduces a common unit on ethics,
integrity and responsible citizenship to strengthen value-based
education
By James Wakahiu
Students in universities and colleges have been challenged to reject
corruption, dishonesty, and academic fraud, and instead embrace
Integrity as a foundation for national transformation.
Speaking during the launch of the Ethics and Integrity Club
at Mount Kenya University (MKU), 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.
He expressed concern over findings showing that many young people
increasingly view dishonest practices as acceptable, including tax
evasion, corruption, malpractices during exams, fake academic
certificates and plagiarism. “Stand up against corruption. Corruption
may promise quick rewards, but it destroys a nation,” said Dr. Oginde
The EACC chair said the commission’s surveys reveal many young
people do not see harm in dishonesty. He added that EACC is
witnessing an upsurge in plagiarism among university students and
sometimes overwhelmed by investigations involving fake certificates,
including cases of people holding very senior positions.
Photo/ EACC Chairperson Dr David Oginde speaking during the launch of the Ethics and Integrity Club at Mount Kenya University in Thika, Kiambu County.
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.
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 asked.
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 responsibility
citizenship to strengthen value-based education.
He said the course unit had been approved by the university
management and further endorsed by the Dean’s Committee,
following consultations between the university leadership and a high-
level delegation from the ethics sector.
Photo/ MKU Principal for Corporate Services and Director of Partnerships and Linkages Prof Peter Wanderi making his address during the launch of the institution’s Ethics and Integrity Club.
Prof. Wanderi noted that the initiative aligns with MKU’s institutional
values and commitment to integrity. 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.
“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.
The 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.
Photo/ Participants following the proceedings during the event.
He challenged students to change their mindset and approach national
issues differently, urging them to see opportunities rather than obstacles. Jacobs called on students to walk together in promoting
integrity and national transformation.
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.
Some of the youths who attended the event led by Ndicho Njoroge
and Natali Asai said many educated young people remain jobless due
to the actions of corrupt officials in various institutions, leaving them
frustrated and vulnerable to drug abuse and crime.
They urged the EACC and the courts to take tougher action against
corruption by ensuring all those found guilty, whether senior
government officials or ordinary citizens are punished to demonstrate
seriousness and help eradicate the vice.
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.
Last month, MKU entered into a strategic partnership with the Ethics
and the Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), aimed at leveraging the
innovation, creativity and energy of young people to foster a strong
culture of integrity and ethical leadership across the country.
Speaking during the engagement, MKU Founder and Chairman, Prof.
Simon Gicharu commended EACC’s evolving approach, noting a
positive shift toward preventive measures such as integrity training
and awareness creation, rather than focusing solely on enforcement.
He emphasized the importance of embedding ethics and integrity
within the education system, particularly through Kenya’s
Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), where values can be instilled
at an early age.
MKU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi, reaffirmed the
university’s commitment to mainstreaming integrity within academic
programmes. He further noted that MKU and EACC will jointly
develop a comprehensive course on integrity, which will be accessible
not only to students but also to the broader Kenyan community.