This calls for CEOs and other business leaders to set radical goals and establish a "new normal" for doing business with integrity.

Every individual effort from large and small business alike will count in helping realise a graft free business environment and society. This will call for uncommon courage from business leaders who will choose to lead by example in their own sectors while challenging the government to deal decisively with graft. Collective action will also be a key strategy in helping root out systemic corruption.

While it might be difficult to obtain collaboration from businesses around issues of graft, addressing the problem is in the interest of all those who are concerned with the sustainability of their businesses and Kenya's economy.

This makes achieving the anti-corruption targets in SDG 16 more urgent than ever – not only because they are important for promoting transparency, accountability and integrity for their own sake, but also because they can serve as a baseline to achieve the successful implementation of the remaining SDGs.

For the private sector, the Ten Principles of the United Nations Global Compact take into account the fundamental responsibilities of business in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. Drawn from landmark UN declarations and Conventions, they act as a normative authority for responsible business.

The 10th Principle calls on 'businesses to work against corruption in all forms, including extortion and bribery'.

By incorporating the Tenth Principle of the UN Global Compact into business strategies, policies and procedures, and establishing a culture of integrity, companies are not only upholding their fundamental responsibilities to people and the planet but also setting the stage for their own long-term success.

Through their actions, attitudes, and anti-corruption efforts, the business community can support the government's efforts in building an anti-corruption culture and developing and strengthening the public anti-corruption infrastructure.

Monitoring corruption and governance trends ensure that there is more concrete knowledge to bring to the table.

A great starting point is understanding the dual role anticorruption plays in the 2030 Agenda, both as a focus area in itself under SDG 16 and as a prerequisite to achieving all other SDGs.

Eradicating bribery and corruption must remain high on the agenda of the national government and private sector, by articulating the need for aligning anti-graft initiatives to business plans and national development plans and programmes.

Written By

By Judy Njino (Executive Director, Global Compact Kenya)