Nairobi, Kenya – Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Chairperson David Oginde has warned that corruption should never be accepted as a normal part of society, describing it as “a snake under the bed” that threatens the safety and stability of institutions and communities.
Speaking during the Kenya Leadership Integrity Forum Campus Edition at Pan Africa Christian University on Wednesday, Oginde cautioned against the growing perception that corruption is a necessary evil in modern societies.
“The idea that corruption is a necessary evil comes from a concept known as the ‘grease the wheels’ argument,” he said, referring to a theory suggesting that bribery can accelerate bureaucratic processes.
However, he emphasized that contemporary research contradicts this notion.
“Rather than greasing the wheels, corruption adds sand to the system by rewarding influence instead of competence,” Oginde said.
Corruption as a Hidden Threat
The event, held at the university’s main campus in Nairobi, brought together students, university leaders and anti-corruption stakeholders to discuss the theme: Can corruption really be tamed, or is it a necessary evil in today’s society?
Using a vivid metaphor, Oginde described corruption as a hidden danger within institutions, warning that accepting it as inevitable undermines public trust.
“From where I sit, corruption is a snake under our bed. You may not see it, but once you know it is there, the entire room becomes unsafe,” he said. “No responsible household accepts a snake as part of the furniture.”
According to the EACC chairperson, corruption often operates quietly through procurement decisions, licensing approvals and regulatory processes, even while institutions appear stable on the surface. He noted that the greatest casualty of corruption is public trust.
“When citizens begin to believe that justice can be bought, that opportunities depend on connections rather than merit, and that laws apply only to the powerless, then the legitimacy of institutions begins to erode,” he said.
Leadership and Citizen Responsibility
Oginde stressed that leadership plays a critical role in shaping the ethical culture of a nation, but he added that responsibility does not lie solely with leaders.
“The ethical tone of a nation is often set by those who lead its institutions. When leaders tolerate corruption, corruption multiplies. When leaders excuse wrongdoing, integrity becomes optional,” he said.
At the same time, he pointed out that corruption also persists through everyday actions by citizens.
“A bribe requires two actors: one who demands it and one who offers it,” he noted, citing examples such as bribing traffic officers, cheating in examinations and falsifying documents.
Quoting anti-corruption advocate John Githongo, Oginde warned that corruption becomes especially dangerous when societies begin to normalize it and lose their sense of outrage.
Economic and Social Consequences
The EACC chair linked corruption to broader economic and social challenges affecting the country, including unemployment and economic hardship.
“The pain of corruption is all around us tough economic times, unemployment, floods and many such anomalies in our nation. These are snake bites,” he said.
He emphasized that addressing corruption requires a coordinated effort from leaders, institutions and citizens. Transparency, accountability and strong institutions, he said, are essential in preventing corruption from taking root.
“The snake enjoying the warmth of your house will not just slither away on its own it must be forcefully removed,” Oginde said.
Anti-Corruption Progress
Highlighting the commission’s recent efforts, Oginde said the EACC has filed 133 asset recovery suits valued at approximately Ksh.25.71 billion, recovered Ksh.7.4 billion from illegally acquired assets, and secured 72 convictions in corruption-related cases over the past three years.
The agency has also safeguarded Ksh.10.74 billion in public funds through disruption interventions, conducted 41 systems reviews across ministries, departments and agencies, and supported 17 county governments through corruption risk assessments.
