The United Nations General Assembly on October 31, 2003, adopted the United Nations Convention against Corruption, and designated 9th December the International Anti-Corruption Day, in order to raise awareness about corruption and of the role of Convention in fighting and preventing it. This convention came into force in the year 2005, and since then the day is being observed annually.
As stated in the Convention, the United Nations is concerned about the seriousness of problems and threats posed by corruption to the stability and security of societies, undermining the institutions and values of democracy, ethical values and justice and jeopardizing sustainable development and the rule of law.
The theme of this year’s anti- corruption day is #UnitedAgainstCorruption. It focuses on corruption as one of the biggest obstacles to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) according to the United Nations.
Corruption is dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power.
Corruption is a constant vice in the society and occurs in all civilizations; It has many different shapes as well as many various effects, both on the economy and the society at large.
Among the most common causes of corruption are the political and economic environment, professional ethics and morality and, of course, habits, customs, tradition and demography. Its effects on the economy and the wider society. Corruption thus inhibits economic growth and affects business operations, employment and investments.
The wider society is influenced by a high degree of corruption in terms of lowering of trust in the law and the rule of law, education and consequently the quality of life (access to infrastructure, health care).
According to a Transparency International Corruption index report,2018, Kenya scored 27 points out of 100. Also, Kenya is the 144th least corrupt nation out of 175 countries. Corruption Rank in Kenya averaged 125.32 from 1996 until 2018, reaching an all-time high of 154 in 2010 and a record low of 52 in 1996.
So, what is the source of corruption and how can Christians unite against corruption?
The Bible describes corruption in Genesis 6:11-12 as violence. It says, ‘’Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.’’
Corruption is a state of decay, pollution, or incorrectness. In the Bible, corruption is one of the effects of sin that resulted from the fall of man. In the beginning, God created a perfect paradise, free of sickness, pain, and death. But when Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit, sin entered the world, spoiling its perfection. That sin also brought contamination and decay to Adam and Eve and to the human nature of every person born after that – Romans 5:12. Thus, corruption in the Bible is the state of moral contamination and spiritual decay expressed through disobedience toward God.
How do you fight corruption?
According to Paul in Philippians 2:3, He urges Everyone to ‘’Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.’’ The kenotic framework of humility, obedience and sacrifice deals with the meekness and sacrifice that Christ demonstrated through incarnation for the fulfilment of holistic redemption. Christ action in public space was demonstratively seen through his meekness, total submission and sacrifice, and even death on the cross.
Only through the total obedience, humility and sacrifice of Christ that all manners of redemption for the lost humanity become possible.
Dear friends, our land is corrupt, and it needs cleansing. Through prayers, humility, obedience and love, we can unite and fight corruption.
It all starts with us.