EACC Responds After Youth Walk From Eldoret to Nairobi to Petition Over Corruption
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has formally responded to a petition presented by a group of Kenyan youth who trekked from Eldoret to Nairobi to protest what they describe as widespread and systemic corruption that continues to lock young people out of jobs, business opportunities, and access to public services.
The youth, drawn from different parts of the country, on Thursday converged at the EACC headquarters at the Integrity Centre in Nairobi, where they submitted a detailed petition outlining their grievances. The document highlights concerns over unemployment, alleged corruption in public offices at both national and county levels, and claims of human rights violations against anti-corruption activists.
Receiving the petition, EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud acknowledged the long journey made by the youth, terming it a powerful symbol of peaceful civic action.
“The walk you have undertaken from Eldoret to Nairobi is a strong demonstration of peaceful civic engagement and the exercise of your constitutional rights,” Mohamud said. “We recognise this as an expression of commitment to integrity, ethics, and accountability in public service.”
Mohamud noted that the Constitution, under Article 37, guarantees citizens the right to assemble, demonstrate, and petition public authorities. He assured the youth that the commission would carefully review the issues raised and respond within its legal and constitutional mandate.
“The commission is ready to receive, interrogate, and act on the matters you have raised, in line with our mandate to investigate and prevent corruption,” he said.
In their petition, the youth argue that corruption in public institutions has systematically excluded them from employment opportunities, government tenders, business licensing, and access to empowerment programmes meant to uplift young people. They claim that initiatives targeting youth empowerment have been hijacked by politically connected individuals who allegedly use proxies to benefit from funds and opportunities reserved for young entrepreneurs.
According to the petitioners, bribery and patronage have become entrenched in public service delivery, leaving deserving youth locked out of opportunities. They further allege that enforcement officers routinely extort young traders and entrepreneurs, worsening economic hardship among the youth.
The petition also raises serious human rights concerns, with the youth alleging that individuals who speak out against corruption face harassment, intimidation, and, in extreme cases, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. They argue that such abuses thrive in an environment of impunity, discouraging whistleblowing and civic participation.
Responding to these claims, Mohamud said the petition was timely and aligned with the commission’s ongoing efforts to involve young people in the fight against corruption. He referenced sustained engagements with youth groups during International Anti-Corruption Day commemorations over the past two years.
“We have deliberately placed young people at the centre of our anti-corruption strategy because they are both the most affected and the most powerful agents of change,” Mohamud said.
He also pointed to an existing memorandum of understanding between the EACC and the National Youth Council, encouraging the youth to continue organising and engaging the commission through structured and recognised platforms to enhance collaboration and impact.
EACC Chairperson David Oginde also commended the youth for taking initiative, saying the fight against corruption requires collective action from all citizens.
“Corruption is not an abstract problem; it is a real threat to our stability, development, and social cohesion,” Oginde said. “When young people rise to demand accountability, they ignite a movement that can inspire lasting national transformation.”
The youth-led walk and petition come amid growing public frustration over corruption, unemployment, and shrinking economic opportunities, particularly among young Kenyans. Analysts say the protest reflects a broader shift toward civic-driven accountability, with citizens increasingly demanding tangible action from oversight institutions.
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EACC Responds After Youth Walk From Eldoret to Nairobi to Petition Over Corruption
