Whistleblower Protection In Kenya, Mauritius, South Sudan and Uganda

In recent years, the total global economic loss incurred due to fraud and wrongdoing in organizations has significantly increased. A study conducted by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) in 2016 reported that this total loss exceeded $6.3 billion, rising to $7 billion in 201811. The number of whistleblowers who have observed and reported such wrongdoing has also increased. This group is dominated by employees (53%), followed by customers (21%) and then by anonymous/other whistleblowers. Whistleblowers have also played a key role during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. This justifies a need for whistleblower protection.

UNESCO through its International Programme for Development of Communication (IPDC) supported The Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) to assess the status of protection of whistleblowers and the existing legal and policy frameworks surrounding whistleblowing practice in Kenya, Mauritius, South Sudan, and Uganda. 

The study assessed the availability, practicality and enforcement of the laws in the protection of whistleblowers in the aforementioned named countries.