The implementation and the effectiveness of the anti-corruption programme of the anglican church of Kenya in Maseno North diocese

Abstract

ABSTRACT Corruption is a global problem which has affected many countries. Responding to it has required action from all, both at the international level, and also at the national level. In Kenya, the response is by both the government and non- governmental organizations that include Anglican Church of Kenya with its anti-corruption program. In spite of the efforts put into fight the vice, corruption rages on and remains widespread. It is unclear whether or not the widespread nature of corruption is related to the efforts made to combat it. As such, the overall objective of this study therefore was to investigate the implementation and the effectiveness of the anti-corruption programme of the ACK in Maseno North Diocese. Specifically, the study sought to examine the general perception of corruption by ACK members of Diocese of Maseno North, examine the program’s methods of dealing with corruption in the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Diocese of Maseno North, explore the adherents’ attitude towards the anti-corruption program in the Anglican Church of Kenya Maseno North Diocese; and to lastly assess the impact of the anti-corruption program in the institutions of Anglican Church of Kenya Maseno North Diocese. The research was guided by the functional theory of religion as propounded by Emile Durkheim. According to this theory, religion is not only concerned with spiritual matters but also with social ills in the society which makes it to be an active participant in the society. Research design was descriptive. The study area was Maseno North Diocese of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) that includes Vihiga and Kakamega counties. The study population was 17,500 adherents and by using Fisher et.al method, 384 were sampled for study. Three sampling procedures namely; simple random, purposive and systematic samplings were used in this study. Both primary and secondary sources of data were employed. Primary data collection methods included; interview, questionnaires, and focus group discussion. Secondary sources of data included both published and unpublished materials. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis were employed. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively based on the percentage of the respondents. Qualitative data was analyzed based on the views of the respondents and was categorized into various themes. The results of the study showed that members of the ACK Maseno North Diocese still felt that the church, just like any other institutions in Kenya, is rife with corruption and corrupt individuals. The ACK has put in place an anti-corruption programme based at the diocesan level that is slowly been trickled down to the parishes. Majority of the respondents felt that the ACK ant-corruption programme has not been very effective in implementation and that the impact of ACK anti-corruption programme is yet to be effective in the various institutions of ACK. The general conclusion is that the implementation and effectiveness of the ACK anti-corruption programme is still slow. Therefore there is need to effectively sensitize people on the anti-corruption programme in all parishes and ACK institutions to make it more effective on the ground.