Tupigane na Ufisadi Program Launched to Empower Youth Against Corruption in Uasin Gishu
The Tupigane na Ufisadi program will lead to more youth involvement in governance and it will create ethical leaders and it will improve how journalism and civil society organizations deal with corruption in Uasin Gishu County.
The 12-month project, dubbed “Tupigane na Ufisadi”, has begun with the training of rapporteurs who will spearhead the program in selected institutions across Uasin Gishu County. Photo by Mahlon Lichuma.
By Ruth Sang
The partnership between journalists and civil society together with integrity institutions develops better accountability systems for educational institutions.
The Uasin Gishu Journalists Association (UGJA) has started its anti-corruption program to help young people at universities fight against corruption and misinformation and disinformation.
The 12-month project which received the title “Tupigane na Ufisadi” began its operations by training rapporteurs who will manage the initiative at selected Uasin Gishu County educational institutions.
UGJA Programs Lead Ibrahim Kiplagat explained that the initiative aims to develop youth integrity and accountability through organized educational activities during the kickoff training.
Kiplagat explained that the project had just started their training for rapporteurs who will manage the project at educational institutions.
“The project, Tupigane na Ufisadi, is financed by CONRAD under the CASS framework with support from the European Union and Transparency International and TISA.”
Kiplagat explained that the program will take place at three sites which include Moi University main campus and University of Eldoret main campus and Eldoret National Polytechnic.
The program will operate for 12 months as we begin our institutional engagement which leads to our complete program execution.
The trained rapporteurs will coordinate institutional activities by establishing and promoting integrity clubs according to his statement.
Kiplagat said that the Uasin Gishu Journalists Association together with Transparency International and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Media Council of Kenya are the stakeholders involved in this initiative. The EACC will guide the integrity clubs using its official manual while the Media Council of Kenya will support us as a journalists’ association.
Kiplagat described the program as timely especially as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election.
The training program teaches students how to maintain their integrity while verifying data. Young people require election period skills to conduct fact-checking and promote integrity in their educational and community spaces.
Tom Juma who represents Transparency International Kenya in the North Rift region attended the event to explain that the initiative supports the organization’s mission to combat corruption at institutional levels.
“Through the TUNU project and Integrity Clubs, working together with the Uasin Gishu Journalists Association, we want young people to grow up understanding the values of fighting corruption. said Juma”
The training program teaches rapporteurs to use tools which include community scorecards and social accountability mechanisms for their work.
“Public funds need to be understood by young people because they impact projects which happen in their local areas. The project will put them in charge of demanding accountability and transparency.
Naomi Cheruiyot one of the trained rapporteurs explained that integrity clubs will create permanent advantages for the community.
Speaking about integrity at the grassroots especially among young people is critical because they are the future of our society.
“The project will teach journalists how to handle misinformation and disinformation and factchecking which will help them through the 2027 General Election. “
The Tupigane na Ufisadi program will lead to more youth involvement in governance, and it will create ethical leaders, and it will improve how journalism and civil society organizations deal with corruption in Uasin Gishu County.
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