Corruption remains one of the most significant obstacles to Kenya's socio-economic development and governance. It undermines trust in public institutions, hinders equitable development, and disproportionately affects the country’s youth, whose future it jeopardizes. 

At The Youth Cafe, we recognize that the power to eradicate corruption lies in empowering young people to be at the forefront of the fight for integrity, accountability, and good governance. Through strategic collaboration and partnerships with industry players like Transparency International Kenya, we have positioned ourselves as a leader in mobilizing youth to stand against corruption. One of the flagship platforms for our efforts is the annual Transparency International Kenya Integrity Walkathon, an event that serves as a catalyst for raising awareness and fostering youth-led advocacy against corruption.

As we prepare for the 2024 edition of the Integrity Walkathon, which will coincide with Transparency International Kenya’s 25th anniversary and the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), The Youth Cafe reflects on the critical role of collaboration and partnership in our mission. Our focus is to inspire, educate, and mobilize young people in the fight against corruption, ensuring that they are not only equipped with knowledge but also empowered to take action.

At the heart of The Youth Cafe’s mission is the firm belief that young people are not merely passive recipients of government policies; they are dynamic agents of change who can transform their societies. Corruption, by its very nature, disempowers and disenfranchises youth by limiting their access to opportunities, education, and quality services. Therefore, our focus is to equip young people with the knowledge, tools, and platforms they need to challenge corruption and champion integrity in their communities. This is where the Integrity Walkathon plays a pivotal role.

Since its inception in 2017, the Integrity Walkathon has mobilized tens of thousands of participants, including youth, women, civil society organizations, government agencies, and the private sector, to raise awareness of the adverse effects of corruption and advocate for transparency. This Walkathon is more than a symbolic march—it represents a growing movement where young leaders are nurtured, and actionable change is driven forward.

Our deep collaboration with Transparency International Kenya (TI-Kenya) is at the core of our successful participation in the Integrity Walkathon. As a globally recognized anti-corruption body, TI-Kenya provides critical expertise, resources, and credibility that The Youth Cafe leverages to engage young people meaningfully. Through this partnership, we have mobilized thousands of youth for the Walkathon, ensuring they play a leading role in public advocacy and are at the forefront of demanding accountability from public officials.

Beyond the Walkathon, The Youth Cafe has fostered collaborations with other key civil society organizations, such as the Institute of Social Accountability (TISA) and the Katiba Institute, aligning efforts to promote constitutionalism, public finance transparency, and good governance. These partnerships form a collective agenda for systemic change, which resonates with young people and empowers them to challenge the status quo. Together, we create a unified front against corruption, ensuring that youth voices are not only heard but acted upon.

Effective anti-corruption efforts require government engagement to ensure that policies promoting transparency and accountability are implemented. Over the years, The Youth Cafe has built strong relationships with key public institutions, including the County Government of Nairobi, International Idea, the European Commission (EC), USAID, Global Media Development Forum, National Anti-Corruption Campaign Steering Committee (NACCSC), Kenya Leadership Integrity Forum, CIVICUS, and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), African Parliamentary Network Against Corruption (APNAC), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), who are regular participants in the Walkathon. These relationships have provided youth with unique opportunities to directly engage decision-makers, fostering trust, promoting an open dialogue, and enabling transparency in discussions about governance reforms.

Beyond these partnerships, The Youth Café actively participates in leading global anti-corruption and governance convenings, sending youth representatives to ensure that the perspectives of young leaders are included in international discussions. These platforms include: World Forum for Democracy, World Movement for Democracy Global Assembly, Copenhagen Democracy Summit, Oslo Freedom Forum, Global Democracy Conference, Summit for Democracy, and the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

Our role in these collaborations goes beyond event participation—we facilitate youth involvement in public accountability by equipping them with the tools to monitor government spending, hold leaders accountable, and advocate for reforms that benefit the public good. Through our post-Walkathon advocacy training programs, we have witnessed young people taking on leadership roles in their communities, actively participating in local governance, and holding their leaders accountable. These initiatives are essential in empowering a generation of youth leaders committed to a corruption-free future.

The Integrity Walkathon is not just a symbolic event but a growing movement that continues to gain momentum each year. More and more young people are recognizing their power in the fight against corruption, and The Youth Cafe’s participation goes beyond walking the 6-kilometer route. Our involvement includes organizing a series of pre-event and post-event activities designed to foster continuous action and advocacy.

In the weeks leading up to the Walkathon, The Youth Cafe hosts digital literacy workshops, community forums, and online advocacy training. These workshops provide young people with the knowledge to understand their role in governance, the dangers of corruption, and how they can use technology to report corrupt practices. Additionally, these forums offer young people a space to engage in meaningful dialogue with their peers, sparking conversations about the importance of transparency and accountability. This engagement extends to social media campaigns, podcasts, and webinars, which build momentum for the event by reaching thousands of young people across the country, both in rural and urban areas.

On the day of the Walkathon, youth participants from The Youth Cafe actively engage with government officials, media, and civil society leaders, delivering powerful messages calling for transparency, accountability, and decisive action. By incorporating interactive elements such as petitions, public forums, and interactive discussions during the walk, we ensure that youth voices are heard and that they play a significant role in shaping Kenya's anti-corruption narrative. The walk passes by key public institutions, including Parliament and the Supreme Court, underscoring the demand for accountability from those in power.

Our work does not end once the Walkathon is over. In the months that follow, The Youth Cafe continues to engage young people in anti-corruption advocacy through training programs, mentorship, and civic engagement initiatives. We work closely with local community leaders and youth advocates, providing them with the tools to monitor government practices, report corruption, and engage with public officials in their communities.

By building community watchdogs and equipping them with digital tools for transparency, The Youth Cafe fosters a culture of accountability that extends well beyond the Walkathon. Youth trained through our programs have gone on to lead integrity clubs in schools, advocacy networks, and local monitoring groups dedicated to promoting transparency in public service delivery. These young leaders are shaping Kenya's future by holding those in power accountable and championing a culture of integrity.

At The Youth Cafe, we understand that corruption is a multifaceted issue requiring a sustained, united, and strategic effort to combat. Our participation in the Integrity Walkathon exemplifies how collaboration and partnership can mobilize youth, raise awareness, and drive systemic change. By working alongside civil society organizations, government institutions, the private sector, and media, we ensure that young people are not just passive observers but active leaders in the fight for a corruption-free Kenya.

Our vision is clear: to empower every young Kenyan to play a role in building a nation where integrity, transparency, and accountability are the pillars of governance. We firmly believe that the power to end corruption lies in the hands of every Kenyan, and through our partnerships, we are laying the foundation for a brighter, more transparent future. Together, we will walk towards a corruption-free Kenya, one step at a time, harnessing the strength of collaboration, empowering young people, and driving a movement that will shape the future of our nation.

Together, we will walk towards a brighter, corruption-free Kenya.

#StandingUpForIntegrity