The just released East African Bribery Index 2013 again singled out Rwanda as the least corrupt country in East Africa.

But being the least corrupt does not mean that there aren’t a few rotten apples in our basket, and if the index is to be believed, we scored worse than last year, albeit far, far better than the region.

Last year’s culprits again appeared on the list of shame with the Police, local leaders and the judiciary appearing in the now familiar territory. But two institutions are cause for worry as accusing fingers were directed towards them; Banks and Rwanda Revenue Authority.

We have always prided ourselves as champions against graft with zero tolerance as our guiding principle, but it seems some people are not reading from this script. Though many strategies have been formulated to ward off the evil, there seem to be some loopholes that need urgent plugging.

One possible action plan is for the Office of the Ombudsman to regularly compile and make public a list of shame without waiting for the publication of an annual report, and this is where the media can play its part in fighting the tumour.

A handful of people should not hold this country at ransom by their greed or selfish urge to take shortcuts, so it’s in everyone’s interests to come on board without any kid gloves because the only language corrupt individuals understand is an iron fist in the form of harsh penalties.