NAIROBI, Kenya — Judge of the Court of Appeal Patrick Kiage has called on the media to deepen its role in exposing corruption, describing it as a “slow poison” that erodes Kenya’s economic and governance systems over time.
Speaking during the Media Practitioners’ Workshop hosted by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Kiage said the press does not wage war against the State when it holds power to account, but instead strengthens it.
“When the media speaks truth to power, it does not wage war against the State; it redeems it,” he said.
He praised the continued collaboration between state institutions and journalists, noting that corruption remains a shared national challenge requiring a “whole-of-government and whole-of-society” response.
He said the media plays a central role in shaping public understanding of governance failures.
Kiage described corruption as a deeply destructive force that distorts development and weakens public trust.
“To me, it is a slow poison. While it may initially benefit a few, it ultimately destroys a country’s economic future,” he said. “It raises the cost of investment and doing business, while conferring undue advantage on those willing to bribe.”
He warned that Kenya faces a moral contradiction where corruption is publicly condemned but privately tolerated or even celebrated when individuals benefit from it. He termed this a form of “ethical failure” that entrenches inequality and weakens accountability.
The judge urged journalists to move beyond traditional watchdog reporting and position themselves as “the public conscience” by framing corruption as economic injustice and governance failure.
“Our Constitution did not envision a passive press,” he said, citing Article 34 on media freedom and Article 10 on national values including integrity, transparency, and accountability.
He added that investigative journalism has already demonstrated its power in Kenya, pointing to past exposés that have triggered investigations, prosecutions, and recovery of public assets.
Institutions such as the Office of the Auditor-General, Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Controller of Budget, he said, provide credible data that journalists should rely on to strengthen reporting.
Kiage also highlighted structural challenges facing the media, including government pressure, ownership influence, and threats to editorial independence.
He cautioned that these factors can weaken journalism’s watchdog function if not carefully managed.
“Credibility is the currency of your profession. Once spent recklessly, it is seldom recovered,” he said, urging journalists to maintain strict professionalism.
He called for stronger legal literacy among reporters covering courts and corruption cases, saying understanding legal processes is essential for accurate reporting.
He further encouraged collaboration across newsrooms to confront increasingly sophisticated corruption networks.
Quoting global governance research, Kiage referenced findings from the World Bank Group that emphasize the media’s role in shaping public expectations and improving accountability.
He concluded by outlining five outcomes he believes media engagement should drive: sustained pressure for legal reform, amplification of public outrage, influence on policymakers, advocacy for whistleblower protection, and stronger institutional transparency.
“Truth be told, where the media is vigilant, accountability has a fighting chance,” he said. “Sunlight remains the best antiseptic.”
Kiage reaffirmed that the fight against corruption cannot be left to a single institution, but depends on sustained collaboration between citizens, the State, and the media.
