Posting 15: Corruption in Kenya

In addition to his day job at the NGO, Don became very intrigued with the endemic corruption occurring in Kenya.  It is systemic, permeating the entire society.  It is a frequent topic of conversation in Kenya.  The leading daily newspapers are often dominated by corruption-related stories. Don wanted to try to understand why this situation persists, and to try to determine if there is any solution. He researched the legal framework and talked to many Kenyans about their routine corruption-related experiences.

Aware of Don's passion, the Dean of Strathmore University School of Law (who has become a friend of ours) asked Don to be a guest lecturer on corruption at the Law School.  Following this experience, Don wrote an Op-Ed article on corruption which was published in the leading daily newspaper.  (See the article at: Zarin Corruption Article.)

In part as a result of this article, Don was invited to speak on corruption at the Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) annual conference in Nigeria.  PALU is comprised of lawyers from across the African continent.  Don traveled to Nigeria during the week of September 20 and had the opportunity to meet many African lawyers.  He also attended the ceremony for the beginning of the legal year held at the Nigerian Supreme Court. With over 1,000 people and 100 reporters crowded into the court, Don got seated in the front row, center of the court.  A Tanzanian lawyer sitting behind him took some pictures on his cell phone, which he was going to email to Don, but when the lawyer stood up from his seat at the end of the ceremony, his cell phone was stolen!