The Integrity Walkathon, which took place on 28th September, 2024, was organized by Transparency International Kenya, a not-for-profit organization which aims to develop a transparent and corruption-free society through good governance and social justice initiatives. The Walkathon is an annual event which was launched in 2017 as a grassroots initiative aimed at increasing awareness about the adverse effects of corruption, and demanding transparency, accountability, and better service delivery from public institutions. The 2024 Walkathon was particularly notable as it also marked the 25th anniversary of Transparency International Kenya, and the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI). 

The Walkathon brought together a diverse range of participants: youth, women, civil society organizations, public institutions, and private sector, and covered a total distance of 5.5 kilometers. It was sponsored by a number of organizations, from Civil Society Organizations, Media, Public and Private Sector, namely: Transparency International (the organizer); Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD); People’s Dialogue Forum; Women’s Alliance for Justice; The Youth Café; Kenya Correspondent’s Association; Interreligious Council of Kenya; Collaboration of Women in Development; Media Council of Kenya; Association of Women Media in Kenya (AMWIK); The Institute for Social Accountability (TISA); Diakonia; Institute of Public Finance; Elections Observation Group (ELOG); National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ); Kimisitu Sacco; Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA); Mary Hill Girls School; and Okoa Uchumi. Notable dignitaries, like The Most Reverend Dr. Jackson Ole Sapit, the 6th Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya, and Activist turned politician, Busia County Senator Okiya Omtatah, were also present. 

To kickstart the day’s activities, The Most Reverend Ole Sapit led the participants through a word of prayer after which there was a warm up session, where participants joined together in song, dance and stretches. Thereafter, the walk was flagged off.

As one of the stakeholders participating in the Walkathon, The Youth Café was on the ground, represented by some of its members and volunteers who joined stakeholders in Standing Up for Integrity. The Walkathon was popularized online under the hashtags #IntegrityWalk2024, #StandingUpForIntegrity, #AccessToInfoDay #AccessToInformation.

The Youth Café had a Booth at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, the venue of the Walkathon, where we showcased some of our notable publications, including the Kenya Youth Manifesto, and engaged with participants. We had 22 participants of all ages visit the Booth, being 15 females and 7 males. The visitors at our booth were from a number of organizations: The National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ); China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC); Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU); Action for Transparency (A4T) Advocates; KKCO East Africa LLP Certified Public Accountants; Kimisitu Sacco; Unit Kenya; The Media Council of Kenya; and students from Maryhill Girls High School.

The participants commended our organization for the work that we are undertaking to amplify the voices of the Youth in advocating for transparency, accountability, and sustainable development. Some of the notable questions we received were in respect of what The Youth Café does; how to become a member; whether there were volunteer and internship opportunities; and whether the youth can in fact stop corruption in Kenya. We were also urged to seek partnerships with the Media fraternity so as to amplify the work of the Youth Café and to increase our visibility and outreach. 

The Integrity Walkathon is only one of many activities in which The Youth Café continues to engage in with various stakeholders to champion the national values and principles of good governance enshrined under Article 10 of the Constitution of Kenya, particularly, the rule of law, democracy and participation of the people, non-discrimination and protection of the marginalized, good governance, integrity, transparency and accountability, and sustainable development.

According to Transparency International, corruption remains the biggest road block to prosperity and equity in Kenya; Kenya losses at least KES. 608 billion, almost 8% of its GDP, directly to corruption. It is therefore important, now, more than ever, that stakeholders in the public and private sector, and civil society actors rally together, to combat corruption at every level and secure not only Kenya’s economy but also her future.