SAGE in Kenya

28/04/2026

THE CANCER THAT IS CORRUPTION......
Corruption is a cancer, and as a county we must confront it with courage, clarity, and collective responsibility. This is not the time for silence or whispers. It is the time for bold, consistent, and informed questioning.
As we approach the general election, our voices must rise—not in chaos, but in unity and purpose. We must ask questions that are loud enough to move beyond county halls and echo all the way to the National Assembly of Kenya. Questions about how public resources are used, why projects stall, and who is held accountable when systems fail.
As part of the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) concerned, we stand firm in demanding transparency, accountability, and integrity in leadership. We call upon oversight bodies such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to act decisively, independently, and without fear or favor. Justice must not only be done—it must be seen to be done.
We also call upon citizens to take an active role: attend public participation forums, scrutinize budgets, document irregularities, and most importantly, vote wisely. Leadership is not just about promises—it is about proven character and accountability.
Corruption survives in silence, but it weakens when citizens organize, speak out, and demand better. Let our voices not just be loud, but effective—driven by truth, evidence, and an unwavering commitment to justice.

19/04/2026

CSOs in Western Kenya Decry Return of Ethnic Politics Ahead of 2027 Polls

Civil society organisations across Western Kenya have raised concern over the growing resurgence of identity-based politics ahead of the 2027 General Election, cautioning that the trend could erode accountability and reverse gains made in governance oversight.

During a stakeholders’ forum held in Kisumu on Thursday under the Tupigane na Ufisadi (TUNU) project, participants called on both leaders and citizens to embrace issue-based politics anchored on service delivery, transparency, and integrity, rather than ethnic or personality-driven alignments.

The forum, which brought together civil society actors from Kisumu, Siaya, Kakamega, and Homa Bay counties, noted that since late 2025, political discourse has increasingly tilted toward ethnic realignments and shifting alliances—an approach they warned could sideline critical governance priorities such as prudent public spending and effective service delivery.

Among those present was SAGE, a member of the alliance, who actively participated in the deliberations and endorsed the collective resolutions aimed at strengthening accountability and promoting citizen-centered governance.

TUNU Project Coordinator in Kisumu County, Ken Anjejo, underscored the risks of this emerging trend, warning that Kenya could slide back into patterns seen in previous election cycles where accountability diminishes as political competition heightens.

“We are already witnessing a concerning shift from service delivery to political alignments. If left unchecked, this could undermine the progress achieved in advancing transparency and accountability,” he noted.

14/04/2026

🚨 New Findings: Kenya National Gender & Corruption Survey 2025

Kakamega County has the highest average bribe at KES 79,305, while corruption remains most prevalent among police officers (35.5%). However, Magistrates receive the highest average bribes at KES 164,367.

This is according to the Kenya National Gender & Corruption Survey 2025 which was officially launched today by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in collaboration with Transparency International Kenya, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, The National Gender and Equality Commission-Kenya , Uraia and Embassy of Denmark in Kenya and Somalia

📊 Key Highlights:
🔹 Average bribe for public sector jobs: KES 85,033
🔹 Women are disproportionately affected and report more cases (57.2%)
🔹 Sexual bribery affects more women (9.3%) than men (7.4%)
🔹 Highest corruption prevalence: Police, Civil Registration, NTSA, Land Registry
🔹 Bribery trends remain high, with strong public perception (74.2%) that corruption is increasing
🔹 Most information on corruption spreads via radio, TV, social media & word of mouth

📢 These findings highlight the urgent need for stronger accountability, gender-responsive policies, and citizen-driven action.

This survey report was funded by the European Union in Kenya through Uraia

Download the report here:👇
https://eacc.go.ke/en/default/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/KENYA-NATIONAL-GENDER-AND-CORRUPTION-SURVEY-2025.pdf

24/02/2026

Great being associated with Tisa Kenya

With your morning coffee in hand as you get ready, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss! Our Executive Director, Diana Gichengo, will be diving into the week’s hottest governance and law issues live on . Tune in!

24/02/2026

INTEGRITY STARTS WITH ......
The engagement of TUNU members in the Integrity Clubs project has been well integrated into the work plans of the implementing partners. This process is already underway, and all organizations will take part in project activities through CLS CBO, HEDSO, or WeCare.
So far, several Youth-Led CBOs—including CPI, CRI, Angaza Jamii, LACOT, Jijenge, ICON Data, and SAGE—have already participated in activities conducted by the implementing partners.

12/02/2026

The crust of the matter ....

12/02/2026

SAGE in Kenya joined the team that visited Felix and his family to offer our condolences and provide psychosocial support following the tragic loss of his four sons.
As part of the Kisumu Emergency and Disaster Team, we continue to support the school community — including students and teachers — who have been deeply affected and traumatised by this incident.
Our thoughts remain with all those impacted as we walk with them through this difficult time.

05/02/2026

SAGEinKENYA was delighted to participate in today’s insightful and collaborative TISA convening, held under the TUNU Project, co-convened by Transparency International Kenya (TI-Kenya), the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), and The Institute for Social Accountability (TISA). The meeting brought together diverse civil society actors committed to strengthening citizen oversight and improving governance across Kenya.
The session provided an important platform to unpack the findings and recommendations of the People’s Audit Report, ensuring that all partners have a shared understanding of the key insights emerging from the audit. Through rich discussions, participants explored the implications of the report for county-level accountability, public participation, and citizen-driven oversight. This collective reflection is essential in shaping a unified response to the issues raised and in strengthening the role of citizens in monitoring public resources.
A major highlight of the meeting was the collaborative development of a coordinated advocacy strategy for 2026, centered on amplifying citizen voices and enhancing transparency mechanisms at the county level. Together, we explored how CSOs can work in synergy to champion more inclusive governance, demand accountability, and advance reforms that reflect the priorities of local communities.
The convening also focused on building the capacity of civil society organizations for evidence-based advocacy and monitoring. By equipping CSOs with stronger analytical tools, data-driven approaches, and shared advocacy frameworks, the TUNU Project aims to empower organizations to better influence policy processes and improve service delivery outcomes.
SAGEinKENYA is proud to be part of this collective effort and remains committed to supporting meaningful citizen engagement, transparency, and accountability. We extend our appreciation to TI-Kenya, KAS, and TISA for leading this important initiative and fostering a space for impactful collaboration.
Together, we continue working toward a more responsive, accountable, and citizen-centered governance landscape in Kenya.

10/12/2025

Did you know that young people are at the forefront of promoting integrity and combating corruption?

Today, we joined the International Anti-Corruption Day 2025 commemoration at Manyatta Primary School, Kisumu, where we engaged in advocacy, civic education, and youth mobilization—key pillars in strengthening accountability and advancing good governance.

Under the theme “Uniting With Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,” the event featured a vibrant youth-led procession and an insightful panel discussion emphasizing the pivotal role of young people in championing transparency, integrity, and ethical leadership.

Together, we are shaping a future where honesty and accountability become the standard. ✊🏽✨

07/12/2025

SAGE took part in the “Community Dialogue on Service Delivery” initiative at Migosi Sub-County Hospital as a structured programme designed to cultivate a proactive and collaborative partnership between KISCAA, and the community. This initiative aims to strengthen transparent communication, jointly identify priority areas for improvement, and develop actionable strategies that enhance the quality, efficiency, and accessibility of healthcare services.

The programme reinforces a unified, multi-stakeholder approach committed to community-centred healthcare advancement. We anticipate that this sustained dialogue will be instrumental in driving meaningful, co-created improvements in local healthcare delivery.

18/11/2025

SAGEinKENYA participated in the ongoing two-day capacity-building workshop under the TUNU (Tupigane na Ufisadi) Project—an initiative implemented by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Tisa Kenya, and Transparency International Kenya, with support from the European Union.

Since its launch in 2023, the TUNU Project has been a transformative force, strengthening the capacity of 21 local CSOs in Kisumu and organizations across 11 counties to effectively champion the fight against corruption. The progress and advocacy milestones achieved by these groups demonstrate the meaningful support, mentorship, and tools provided through the project.

The Kisumu workshop is centered on a newly published manual, “Citizen Watch: Monitoring Public Contracts Through Social Accountability in Kenya,” developed by Tisa Kenya. This resource presents a timely opportunity for local actors, including SAGEinKENYA, to enhance their skills and strategies for social accountability and anti-corruption advocacy.

The manual emphasizes the prevention, detection, and reporting of corruption within public contracting processes, and empowers citizens to ensure that government procurement is conducted in a transparent, lawful, and accountable manner.