Former journalist and corruption whistleblower, John Mark Githongo, was appointed chairman of the Transparency International International Council.
Githongo publicised the news on his social media pages on Friday, February 10, with congratulatory messages streaming from his followers.
Transparency International Council is a global coalition that aims to expose networks and systems that support corruption by holding institutions accountable.
“I am happy to share that I am starting a new position as Chairman at Transparency International International Council,” Githongo stated.
Aside from executing his membership roles in the council for two years by the time of his appointment, Githongo founded a non-governmental organisation known as Inuka Kenya Trust that highlighted corruption matters.
In addition, under former President Mwai Kibaki, he served as a permanent secretary in the president's office as the person in charge of governance and ethics of the Kenyan government in 2003.
He has a vast career in journalism, including being a columnist for the East African, an associate Editor at Executive magazine, and a correspondent for the Economist.
His latest international recognition before his appointment in the council was in December 2022, when he won the International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award.
The activist won a lifetime award owing to his dedication to fighting corruption and preserving the rule of law.
Moreover, In 2012, he was short-listed alongside Hilary Clinton for the prestigious Tipperary International Peace award.
Githongo is a well-known activist who exposed the Anglo-leasing Scandal that rocked the late President Mwai Kibaki's government in 2004.
In the Anglo Leasing scandal, contracts were given to fictitious companies to supply the Kenyan government with a system to print new, high-tech passports. In contrast, other fictitious companies received funding to supply military ships and forensic laboratories.
He also supported the petitions filed by former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, and Martha Karua at the Supreme Court in August 2022, seeking to overturn President William Ruto's presidential election.
