Corruption is an issue that touches almost every sector of society. While we often point fingers at politicians and government officials, it’s equally crucial to recognize the role that certain professionals play in enabling these unethical practices. Lawyers, engineers, accountants, doctors, and other professionals, who are often members of esteemed professional organizations, sometimes abuse their positions of trust and authority, facilitating corruption in various forms. This raises the pressing question: What is the role of professional organizations in fighting this plague, and how can they better hold their members accountable?
The Complicity of Professionals in Corruption Scandals
In virtually every major corruption scandal, professionals are involved. Whether it’s a lawyer laundering money on behalf of a corrupt politician or an engineer signing off on substandard infrastructure projects, these professionals are not just bystanders—they are often key players.
Lawyers and Corruption
Lawyers, who are tasked with upholding the law, have sometimes become enablers of corruption. In many cases, they act as intermediaries, receiving ill-gotten funds on behalf of their clients and facilitating their transfer through client accounts. This money is then used to buy property or withdrawn in cash to obscure its origins. These actions tarnish the noble legal profession, raising the question of whether professional bodies like the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) are doing enough to discipline such individuals.
The LSK, under the leadership of its current President, Faith Odhiambo, must take bold steps to address this issue. Stricter regulatory frameworks, enhanced monitoring of client accounts, and tougher penalties for those found engaging in corrupt practices should be prioritized. Allowing corrupt lawyers to continue holding practising certificates without consequence only perpetuates the problem and brings disrepute to the entire profession.
Engineers and Substandard Infrastructure
Corruption in infrastructure development is a matter of life and death. When engineers, tasked with ensuring the safety and integrity of roads, bridges, and buildings, compromise their ethics for personal gain, the consequences can be catastrophic. Poorly constructed roads and bridges lead to accidents, injuries, and loss of life, often because funds meant for construction were diverted or the engineer cut corners for profit.
The Engineers Board of Kenya must step up its efforts to combat corruption within the engineering sector. They must not only discipline those found guilty of unethical practices but also implement stronger oversight mechanisms to ensure that engineers adhere to ethical standards. Regular audits of projects, mandatory ethical training, and revoking licenses of those found guilty of corruption are steps that could help restore public trust in the profession.
Accountants and Financial Mismanagement
In counties and government agencies, accountants are entrusted with managing public funds. However, in many cases, they have been implicated in financial mismanagement, embezzlement, and fraud. The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) has a crucial role to play in ensuring that its members adhere to the highest standards of financial integrity.
ICPAK must be more proactive in auditing the activities of its members, particularly those working in the public sector. Regular financial audits, coupled with stringent disciplinary measures for those found guilty of corruption, could deter accountants from engaging in unethical practices.
Medical Practitioners and Healthcare Corruption
The healthcare sector is not immune to corruption either. Hospital management teams, many of whom are members of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), have been implicated in the theft of funds meant for hospital equipment and the diversion of medicines to private pharmacies for personal profit. This blatant disregard for the welfare of the sick is a moral and ethical failure that needs urgent redress.
The KMPDC must work closely with healthcare institutions to implement strict anti-corruption measures. Regular audits of hospital funds, proper tracking of medicine supplies, and severe penalties for those found diverting public resources could help curb corruption in this sector.
The Power of Professional Bodies to Combat Corruption
Professional bodies are endowed with statutory powers to regulate their members. These include the power to issue practising licenses, enforce ethical standards, and discipline those who violate these standards. However, the question remains: Why are corrupt professionals still allowed to hold practising certificates and continue their unethical practices?
Issuing and Revoking Licenses
One of the most powerful tools professional organizations have is the ability to grant and revoke practising licenses. A corrupt lawyer, engineer, accountant, or doctor should not be allowed to continue practising if they have been found guilty of enabling or participating in corruption. Professional bodies must take a firm stand, ensuring that anyone who compromises the integrity of their profession is barred from practising.
Continuous Ethical Education
In addition to disciplining corrupt members, professional bodies should prioritize the continuous education of their members on ethics and the importance of integrity. By instilling these values from the onset and reinforcing them throughout a professional’s career, these organizations can help create a culture of ethical practice.
Collaboration with Anti-Corruption Bodies
Professional organizations should also collaborate closely with government anti-corruption bodies like the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in Kenya. By sharing information, conducting joint investigations, and working together to prosecute corrupt individuals, these organizations can play a significant role in the broader fight against corruption.
Restoring Public Trust: A Call for Accountability
The complicity of professionals in corruption has eroded public trust in institutions that are supposed to safeguard the interests of society. It is deeply troubling that individuals who are highly educated and hold positions of authority are using their knowledge to steal from the poor and the sick.
Restoring this trust requires professional bodies to take bold and decisive action. Issuing statements condemning corruption is not enough; these organizations must show that they are willing to clean house by revoking licenses, holding members accountable, and instituting reforms to prevent future abuses.
Where Are Our Values?
At the core of this issue is a question of values. As a society, we must ask ourselves why we are educating people to steal from those who need help the most. Are we instilling the right values in our schools, universities, and professional training programs? Professional organizations, with their power and influence, have a unique opportunity to shape the ethical landscape of our society.
Ultimately, it should bother our collective conscience that corruption has become so entrenched in professions that are supposed to uphold justice, integrity, and service to the public. It is time for professional organizations to rise to the occasion and become true champions in the fight against corruption.
