Youth view graft as acceptable, says report

Fifty per cent of Kenyan youth believe it does not matter how one makes money as long as one does not end up in jail, a survey shows.

"It is not surprising, as corruption has been glorified for more than 50 years," said anti-corruption activist John Githongo.

He spoke at the launch of the report at Serena Hotel yesterday.

"The rule of law has been eroded because we see corrupt thieves being invited to fund raising in church," Githongo said.

The report says 30 per cent think "corruption is a profitable venture".

The Kenya Youth report 2015 was commissioned by the Aga Khan University's East African Institute.

The survey found 73 per cent of youth are afraid to stand up for what is right for fear of retribution.

It shows 40 per cent of youth trust politicians, while 65 per cent trust government.

Another 47 per cent said they admire those who have acquired wealth through dubious means.

Although 90 per cent of youth believe it is important to vote, 62 per cent are vulnerable to electoral bribery.

Some 40 per cent said they would only vote for a candidate who bribe them.

Some 1,854 youth aged between 18-35 from rural and urban centres across the country were interviewed in the survey conducted between 2014 and 2015 in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.

Sixty per cent of the youth were concerned about unemployment, while 11 were concerned about access to capital.

Source