Nairobi, July 7 -- This week, Africa marks African Anti-Corruption Day, commemorating the adoption of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption. It is a call for integrity, accountability and ethical governance. For Kenya, however, it should be less a celebration than a moment of reckoning.

The 2024 National Ethics and Corruption Survey paints a troubling picture. Bribery remains deeply embedded in everyday life, with citizens routinely paying to access public services. While average bribe amounts have fallen, corruption remains pervasive, eroding trust in institutions and undermining justice.

The problem extends far beyond petty bribery. Inflated procurement deals, ghost projects, nepotism and elite cartels co...