Kenya High Commissioner calls for deepened anti-corruption cooperation
By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The High Commissioner of Kenya to Nigeria, H.E. Isaac Parashina, has called for stronger Nigeria-Kenya cooperation in the fight against corruption.
Warning that the menace now poses a serious threat to governance, development and stability across Africa, the High Commissioner noted that corruption should be treated as a systemic governance challenge rather than isolated criminal acts.
Speaking in Abuja during a visit to the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), Parashina referenced Kenya’s reform experience, noting that early anti-corruption efforts were largely enforcement-driven until constitutional reforms introduced in 2010 strengthened institutional accountability.
He noted that the 2010 Constitution embedded integrity and transparency in public service, particularly through leadership and integrity provisions that set ethical standards for public officers.
Speaking further, he explained that Kenya now operates a multi-agency anti-corruption framework involving coordinated roles in investigation, prosecution, financial intelligence and asset recovery.
He added that the structure reflects the complexity of corruption cases, which require synchronized action across enforcement and recovery processes.
The envoy also highlighted digital governance reforms in Kenya, including e-government services, tax automation and electronic procurement systems, which he said have reduced direct human interference in public transactions adding that the reforms have improved transparency and closed loopholes previously exploited for graft.
Parashina disclosed that Kenya recovered significant public assets in the last financial year, with additional recovery processes still ongoing.
However he noted persistent challenges, including procurement fraud, cyber-related crimes, money laundering and delays in the justice system.
The High Commissioner called for deeper cooperation between Nigeria and Kenya in intelligence sharing, capacity building, digital innovation and cross-border asset recovery saying sustained progress against corruption depends on strong institutions, constitutional safeguards, preventive systems and active citizens participation.
Drawing insights from political history and philosophy, the Provost of the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN), Prof.Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim noted that global giants like the United States and China built their modern governance and economic systems by studying and adapting successful frameworks from other nations.
He explained that the ICPC is currently applying the Socratic method of learning, which values humility, continuous curiosity, and an active openness to external perspectives.
Explaining the choice of the Republic of Kenya as the primary focus for the maiden dialogue, the Provost praised the East African nation’s rich history, cultural diversity, and resilience.
He specifically lauded Kenya’s historic struggle against colonial suppression, which laid the foundation for its modern statehood.
The Provost commended Kenya’s significant milestones in establishing robust anti-corruption structures.