Nairobi — The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is seeking to enlist churches in a grassroots campaign against corruption, including efforts to discourage voters from accepting bribes during elections.

The EACC and the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) have agreed to deepen their partnership, with the two institutions exploring the use of the Church's extensive community networks to promote ethics and integrity.

EACC Chairperson David Oginde said the fight against corruption requires a collective effort involving institutions with a direct presence in communities.

"We need to collaborate and work together towards a common goal. The fight against corruption requires all of us to unite and put our efforts to salvage our nation," Oginde said.

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The partnership will target both public officials and citizens, with the NCCK calling for greater emphasis on ethical conduct among public officers and voter sensitisation ahead of elections.

NCCK Secretary General Rev. Canon Chris Kinyanjui said the Church would work with the anti-graft agency to promote ethical behaviour and discourage corruption at community level.

The discussions also proposed training religious leaders so they can better engage their congregations and communities on ethics, integrity and the consequences of corruption.

EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud said the Commission was committed to implementing the resolutions reached during the engagement.

The two institutions are expected to formalise their cooperation through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and develop a joint work plan setting out areas of collaboration.

The proposed partnership comes as the anti-corruption agency seeks to broaden its prevention and public education efforts beyond investigations and prosecutions by using community institutions to influence attitudes towards corruption.

The NCCK recommendations placed particular emphasis on elections, where voters would be encouraged to reject inducements and bribery rather than participate in practices that undermine electoral integrity.

Kinyanjui reaffirmed the Church's commitment to working with EACC to foster a culture that rejects corruption.

The collaboration will give the Church a more defined role in EACC's efforts to promote ethical conduct, while providing the commission access to established grassroots networks across the country