John Githongo has spent a lifetime fighting corruption in Kenya, first as a journalist and later as a high-ranking official within Kenya’s government. While serving as Kenya’s first anti-corruption czar, Githongo uncovered an elaborate scheme to steal millions of dollars from the Kenya treasury by the president and administration that appointed him.  Despite being threatened and told to back down, Githongo pursued the investigation, secretly taping conversations with officials and documenting the corruption. In 2005, following direct threats to his life, Githongo fled Kenya for Great Britain where he continued to expose wrongdoing in the Kenyan government.  Githongo returned to Kenya in 2008 and founded a nonprofit organization aimed at creating a more informed citizenry. He is being honored with this award for the courage he shows – in the spirit of Oxi Day – to fight corruption and promote democratic values in Kenya.