Breaking the Cycle of Corruption in Africa: a Case Study of Kenya

Abstract

This study is about breaking the cycle of corruption in Africa, a case study of Kenya. This research used Kenya as the study object to represent Africa. Consequently, the study assessed the reasons why corruption persist despite having anti-corruption strategies, adequate legal and institutional frameworks and opportunities for fighting corruption in Kenya. The study also set out two hypotheses which assessed the ineffectiveness of the legal and institutional frameworks in breaking the cycle of corruption and looked into the political, economic and social-cultural factors that perpetuate corruption in Africa. The study was informed by the rational choice theory which attributes persistence of corruption to absence of accountability mechanisms. It utilized both quantitative and qualitative data analysis. A structured questionnaire was distributed to EACC officers through random sampling. The research found out that political, economic and social-cultural factors perpetuate corruption. It further established that legal and institutional frameworks in place are not effective in investigation and prosecution of corruption cases. Moreover, the study identified opportunities and prospects for fighting corruption in Kenya by examining lessons that can be learnt from Botswana and New Zealand as these countries have been reported to have low corruption levels. The research recommends promotion of independence in institutions fighting corruption, strengthening of the legal and procedural frameworks for prosecution of corruption cases and asset recovery. The study recommends integration of institutions including the judiciary, the regulatory agencies, ombudsman, public prosecutors, the media, citizen groups and other non-governmental organizations to collaborate in the fight against corruption. In addition, the research recommends positive political will and transformational leadership at all levels of political landscape to break the cycle of corruption.