By Wahome Ngatia
Transparency International Kenya (TI-Kenya) will host its annual Integrity Walk on 27th September in Nairobi, with NGOs Hub as one of the partners. To understand the origins of the event, its vision, and why it matters, we sat down with Samuel Ogeda, TI-Kenya’s Business Development Coordinator.
What’s your name and what do you do?
I’m Samuel Ogeda, and I work at Transparency International Kenya as the Business Development Coordinator. My role involves expanding the organization’s revenue base by creating partnerships and programs that help us fundraise and sustain our work.
What is the Integrity Walk and when did it start?
The Integrity Walk was first launched in 2017. It’s an eight-kilometer walk designed to raise awareness about integrity and amplify the issues we champion — from climate financing to ethical leadership, transparency in public finance, and citizen accountability. We ran the walk annually until 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to pause. We revived it in 2024, this time with a fundraising component, which proved very successful.
Why do you host the Integrity Walk?
Two reasons: visibility and sustainability. We want to bring our message directly to the people — to make TI-Kenya visible and relevant in their everyday lives. But equally, the walk is now a platform for fundraising. We invite sponsors and partners to exhibit their work at the event for a fee, which supports our programs. After the success of last year, we decided the walk should once again be an annual tradition.
What happens during the Integrity Walk?
The core activity is walking together through key installations in Nairobi. But it’s much more than just walking. We provide space for partners to showcase their work and educate the public about what they do. There are legal clinics offering free advice, wellness activities, interactive games, music, and entertainment. Importantly, we also introduce participants to the tools TI-Kenya has developed to fight corruption, such as:
– Action for Transparency – an app that tracks the use of public resources in primary schools and allows anonymous reporting.
– Wajibikaji Pamoja – a complaint referral system for corruption cases.
– Campaign Watch Tool – which helps the public monitor and report illegal use of public funds during campaigns.
– Shule Yangu Alliance Campaign – which allows civil society groups to track school resources and identify cases of land grabbing or misuse of assets.
What are your goals and targets for Integrity Walk 2025?
We’re targeting at least 2,000 participants. Numbers matter because the more people join us, the stronger our message becomes. We also aim to raise KSh 15 million to support our initiatives. Beyond money, our goal is to create meaningful spaces where people can talk openly about corruption, ethical leadership, and integrity.
Why should anyone attend the walk?
Because it’s more than just an advocacy event — it’s an experience. Participants get the chance to exercise, network, and engage with leaders across sectors. We expect diplomats, expatriates, NGO executives, and members of the diplomatic corps. We’ve also partnered with health providers such as Avenue Healthcare and Aga Khan University Hospital, as well as psychosocial experts. They’ll run a free medical camp offering consultations. And of course, there’s the fun side: games like Kahoots, live music, comedians, entertainers, and food stalls from Nairobi’s top restaurants.
What benefits will NGOs in attendance derive from the walk?
NGOs benefit in several ways. First, by simply showing up, they demonstrate solidarity with Kenyans in the fight against corruption. This sends a clear signal to their donors and partners that they stand for integrity. Second, they have the opportunity to secure exhibition booths where they can showcase their work and impact. Third, with donor funding shrinking globally, collaboration has become critical. The walk offers NGOs the chance to connect with others, co-create solutions, and even form consortiums when applying for funding — something donors are increasingly encouraging. Finally, government agencies and state departments will be present. That gives NGOs a valuable chance to engage directly with state actors, stakeholders, and the very beneficiaries they serve.
What organizations have confirmed attendance?
We’ve already confirmed several key players, including CIHEB, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the State Department of Trade, MP Shah Hospital, and Avenue Healthcare, among others.
What does the Integrity Walk ultimately stand for?
The walk is about more than raising money or hosting an event. It’s about sparking conversations, building alliances, and reminding Kenyans that integrity is not just a value but a daily practice. When people walk side by side for integrity, they are taking a stand for a more transparent and just Kenya.
