At the 26th Annual ICT Manager’s Congress held at the PrideInn Paradise Resort, Shanzu, Mombasa between the 5th and 10th of May 2019, among many discussions, IT managers pointed out how ICT can be used to effectively Fight Corruption. At the beginning of the discussion, many shared some of the bad experiences as a result of corruption which included: frustrating policing system, frustrating and long court process, combined with factors such as cultural changes, attitude change, personal integrity, etc.
With the use of ICT technologies, it was found that advertising on social media outlets i.e. Facebook Instagram, etc via anti-corruption propaganda can help fight corruption. To fight corruption the use of CCTV, Cameras, and Smartphones, digitization and E-government solutions, mobile apps for fighting corruption will need to be implemented successfully in all facets of public administration.
To take it a step further digitization of government procedures and e-Gov solutions would mitigate corruption to an extent in the public system. To Establish a vibrant Civil society, ICT-driven anticorruption initiatives need to be funded while projects and programs that foster conducive institutional environments to participate in public affairs need to be established to promote cooperation, mobilization and develop capacities.
The use of Huduma Number to reduce corruption - National Integrated Information Management System (NIIMS). it is considered as one source of truth for all thing’s citizenship. Tax evasions and lack of proper transparent systems for collecting taxes from both small-scale traders and large-scale businesses is also a problem of corruption and the only solution to this are operational and increased transparency, access & documentation.
Some ICT-Based Anti-corruption interventions so far include Digital public services & e-government, Whistleblowing systems and tools by anti-corruption agencies, Transparency portals, and Big Data, and Blockchain and DLT among others.
Anti-Corruption agencies need to carry out impromptu checks e.g. use of plainclothes police in public places and offices, intelligence gathering, follow-up on whistle-blower’s tips.
The Blockchain Technology need to implemented not just in financial institutions but also in the Identity Management system, Property registration system and diamond trafficking ecosystem so as to disrupt corrupt practices in said sectors.
Yusuph Kileo, A cybersecurity and digital forensics expert shared his view on how Tanzania has employed the use of a Digital Payment System using an SMS platform for payment of fines and other related transactions. With existing robust mobile infrastructure, Kenya stands to gain more through such a system.
Finally, it was extrapolated that awareness is key in the fight of corruption, if citizens understand their rights and constitution then they are equipped with the knowledge on how to fight corrupt personnel in Public System. Strong Civic education will be required to tackle the issues of unawareness.
