From Left: Commissioner Alfred Mshimba, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo and Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili after a meeting in the Governor’s boardroom. Photo GVN's Press. 
By Andrew Mbuva
According to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission’s National Ethics and Corruption Survey (NECS) for 2024, Makueni County recorded the lowest likelihood of officials soliciting bribes—at just 0.61 times—distinguishing it as the most transparent and accountable among the 47 counties surveyed
On Tuesday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. hosted a delegation of senior EACC officials, led by Commissioner Alfred Mshimba, alongside representatives from GIZ headed by Judy Oduma, to chart the next steps in strengthening corruption prevention and performance management across the county.
At the heart of the talks was the establishment of a County Corruption Prevention Committee, a structure envisioned under the 2023 EACC guidelines.
The committee will develop frameworks to mainstream corruption prevention in public service, enhance transparency, reduce graft prevalence, and build a positive culture of integrity.
Governor Mutula emphasized that the approach must begin at the top, noting that he will personally chair the committee to ensure its work cascades through all levels of county governance.
“The idea is to have mechanisms that will prevent corruption. The tone has to be set from the top, and I, as the Governor, will lead these committees,” Mutula affirmed. “In each committee, an integrity officer will be required to report on measures being taken. It is about putting systems in place that demand corruption-free processes while ensuring those entrusted with oversight are people of integrity.”
He lauded the EACC–GIZ partnership for prioritizing prevention over prosecution, stressing that entrenched systems would ensure services in Makueni remain accountable.
“Corruption is a national problem. It has infiltrated even the highest levels of government, including Parliament and Senate. But in Makueni, we want to keep building on the progress made. We were recently ranked among the least corrupt counties, and our ambition is to move from where we were placed at 2,000 in bribery prevalence to zero.”
Commissioner Mshimba echoed the Governor’s commitment, underlining that prevention remains the most effective way to tackle graft.
“The prevention approach is cost-effective and ensures projects are completed as planned. So far, we have rolled out these committees in 11 counties, but ultimately, this must be a national movement. Corruption cannot be fought by EACC alone; we need everyone on board, and the best way to reach citizens is through the counties,” he said.
The Commissioner praised Makueni’s record, noting that the county ranked among the lowest in bribery cases in the latest EACC annual survey.
With the Governor pledging leadership from the front and systems being anchored at county level, Makueni is setting the pace for devolved units in the fight against corruption—aspiring not just to remain one of the cleanest, but to achieve the ambitious goal of zero corruption.
