The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) CEO, Abdi Ahmed Mohamud, has defended Kenya’s separation of powers, saying the independence of the executive, legislature, and judiciary is vital for fairness and protecting vulnerable citizens, even if it sometimes slows down processes.
Speaking at the Youth Integrity Dialogue at the Technical University of Mombasa, Mohamud said that while the system may be inconvenient at times, it ultimately serves the public good.
“Our Constitution has put in place independent arms of government for a very good reason. At times, it’s inconvenient, but it serves us better,” he said, noting that giving one institution powers such as prosecution could speed up work but might also put citizens at risk if not properly checked.
He explained that the criminal justice system has safeguards like the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ), which brings together all arms of government and private stakeholders to resolve disagreements.
“If you are very weak, if you are not someone who is connected or in power, it is good to have a system, a justice system, that protects the poor and the weak in our community,” Mohamud added.
The EACC chief also highlighted Kenya’s high unemployment crisis, pointing to the Commission’s recent recruitment drive.
“We advertised 100 junior posts and received 17,000 qualified applicants,” he said, illustrating the intense competition young Kenyans face when seeking employment.
Mohamud encouraged youth to embrace innovation and explore opportunities beyond traditional office jobs.
“Now you’re operating in a very different environment, where you don’t have to go to an office to be able to be employed. That is where you need to be innovative,” he said, adding that government policies are increasingly supportive of entrepreneurship and alternative career paths.
He also warned young people to be patient and realistic in their career expectations. “One problem the youth need to address is impatience. They want to get it today and tomorrow, and they want to be the CEO of the EACC. That is not possible,” Mohamud said, urging young employees to understand that meaningful growth takes time.
Mohamud recounted instances of young employees quitting early, frustrated by slow promotions, and urged them to understand the parameters of growth within any organisation.
