What we do

We engage young people in developing strong, resilient and thriving communities

Why we do what we do...

 According to the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index, Kenya ranks 124 out of 180 countries in terms of perceived levels of corruption (with an average score of 31 out of 100 where 0 represents “highly corrupt” while 100 represents “very clean”. This means that corruption is seen as a significant problem in Kenya, and as young people, we feel motivated to take action to address it. According to a 2020 survey by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), corruption is the second most common problem facing young people in Kenya, after unemployment. In the same survey, 84% of young people said that they had experienced or witnessed corruption in the previous year. According to a 2019 report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), young people in Kenya face significant challenges in accessing education and employment opportunities, which can be exacerbated by corruption. The same report highlights the need for more youth-led initiatives to promote integrity and fight corruption in Kenya. 

According to the Democracy Index 2020 by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Kenya was ranked as a “flawed democracy” with a score of 5.52 out of 10. Which means that the country political system exhibits democratic elements such as elections, civil liberties (freedom of speech, assembly , or association), but also has significant shortcomings or deficiencies that hinder its effectiveness and fairness. These concerns raise questions about the protection of civil liberties and the ability of citizens to exercise their democratic rights.

 

CHANGEMAKERS NETWORK

Why young people?

According to the World Youth Report (2020), there are 1.2 billion young people aged 15 to 24 years, accounting for 16 per cent of the global population. Locally, Kenya is termed as a country of the youth according to the 2019 Population and Census results which shows that 75% (35.7 million) of the  47.6 million population is under the age of 35. With the energy, creativity and innovation embedded in the youth, they have a significant role to play in finding solutions to the global challenges. Young people are the future of any society, and as such, they have an important role to play in promoting transparency and accountability. They are feeling the corrosive effects of corruption and government apathy in every area of their lives, from education and road safety to health and environmental protection. They are ready to use their tech savvy to create new systems of accountability and transparency for the public and private sectors. By engaging in activities that promote transparency and accountability, young people can help to create a more open and equitable society that benefits everyone.

Integrity is a fundamental value that is essential for personal and societal growth. It is the quality of being honest, having strong moral principles, and doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Integrity building is the process of developing and maintaining a strong sense of honesty and ethical behavior in individuals and institutions. While many people assume that integrity building is the sole responsibility of adults, young people are also actively involved in this process. Read more to understand why involving young people in integrity building initiatives is necessary.

Our programmes

We run education and awareness-raising campaigns to promote ethical behavior and values in the community. Through this programme, we organize, conduct and participate in workshops, training sessions, and information campaigns on topics such as corruption, transparency, and accountability. 

1. Education and Awareness-raising

2. Voice out

We conduct advocacy and lobby activities that help to enhance community integrity building. We form coalitions with other stakeholders, conduct policy analysis and research, develop and implement public  campaigns , community organizing and media advocacy.

We run community engagement programme to promote civic participation and build trust in public institutions. Through this program, we organize town hall meetings, community forums, and other events that bring together community members and public officials to discuss issues of concern.

3.Community Engagement

4. Kilifi Transparency hub

YIB organization manages a youthful transparency hub where it engages young people proactively on matters integrity, social justice, and democracy. The hub hosts an Integrity Leadership program, runs an Integrity Support mobile application, organizes Integrity Hackathon and and coordinates the YIB Motivation corner.

5. Integrity Spotlight, Recognitions and Awards

This program honors individuals and organizations that demonstrate exemplary ethical behavior. It reaches out to individuals and public offices officials that demonstrate transparency and accountability, or businesses that operate in an ethical and socially responsible manner.

6. Networking and Partnership

 We participate and organize networking and community-building events that bring together young leaders, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to share ideas, build relationships, and collaborate on initiatives that promote integrity and fight corruption.

Networking session with Community solutions program fellows at Westin Hotel Washington DC. The program is fully sponsored by US state department and implemented by IREX