1. WHISTLE BLOWING
By Douglas Lang’at

2. DEFINITION
A whistleblower is one who reveals wrongdoing within an organization to the public or to those in positions of authority

3. Examples of illegalities that can be reported including:
Corruption
Criminal offence
Dishonesty
Unsafe working conditions
Damage to the environment
Covering up wrongdoing

4. TYPES OF WHISTLEBLOWERS
Internal whistleblower
Individuals within an organisation who report misconduct on a fellow employee or superior within the company
External whistleblower
These are individuals who report whistleblowing to an external party.

5. Third party whistleblowers
This is a service whereby the individuals at the top of the organisation are informed about the ongoing illegal activities within the company by a third party agency, without disclosing the identity of the whistleblower.

6. WHISTLEBLOWING IN KENYA
Whistleblowing is promoted by the Kenya Revenue Authority through its WHISTLE BLOWING POLICY
The policy defines the scope of the policy, its responsibilities, safeguards and procedures.

7. CASES OF WHISTLEBLOWING IN KENYA
Grand Regency
In 2003, 11 employees of the hotel volunteered information to the KACC on information regarding to corruption within the organisation.
David Munyakei
Munyakei blew the whistle on the Goldenberg scandal while working for CBK; he was arrested, released and then fired from his job.

8. John Githongo
-Blew the whistle on Anglo-leasing.
-John made international headlines when he quit his job at the Ethics and Governance Permanent Security and accused several power men of Grand Corruption.
-Thereafter he went into hiding in London for a few years.

9. Challenges of whistleblowing

10. Challenges of whistleblowing
Despite it’s ethical importance in a business environment, research has shown that it is very difficult to report wrongdoing in organizations. One major reason for this is that people fail to report due to fear of retaliation for reporting. Additionally, they believe that nothing will be done anyway.

11. The wrongdoers may also attempt to figuratively cut the whistleblower off at the knees by attacking them in such a way that they try to take away the whistleblower’s ethical authority. Wrongdoers may believe that they can control the situation by attacking the whistleblower’s character, credibility, dignity, and relationships with others isolating the whistleblower

13. PRACTICAL RESPONSE To reassure people
Demonstrate effective self regulation
Managers being open to concerns

14. HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR WHISTLEBLOWING POLICY
Conducting ethical audits
Training
Seeking advice
Have an external company facilitate the drafting of appropriate policies and procedures.
Such services can be provided by international companies such as FORDE HR SOLUTIONS

15. REFERENCES
Scott, Florence. (October 3, 2010). challenges of whistleblowing. In Whistleblower Support Blog. Retrieved June 2, 2015, from
(2013). Whistle Blowing. In Ethical Systems-Business Integrity Through Research. Retrieved June 1, 2015, from
. (July 2006). Whistle Blowing Policy. In Kenya Revenue Authority. Retrieved June 1, 2015, from
Owaahh. (January 22, 2014). 7 Bravest Kenyan whistleblowers. In Owaahh. Retrieved June 1, 2015, from