A new report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has shed light on the growing cost of corruption in Kenya, with citizens paying hefty bribes to access essential public services. The National Ethics and Corruption Survey, 2023 highlights the worsening trend, showing an alarming increase in the cost of bribery across various government institutions.
According to the report, Kenyans paid an average of Ksh.162,260 in bribes to secure employment in public institutions, a stark indicator of the country’s unemployment crisis. Acquiring a passport required an average bribe of Ksh.74,428, while obtaining a police abstract cost Ksh.20,300. Additionally, securing a government tender demanded a bribe of Ksh.17,000.
The report also reveals the highest bribe amounts paid to different public institutions. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) led the list, with Kenyans parting with an average of Ksh.81,801 to access services. The Judiciary followed at Ksh.49,611, the Kenya Bureau of Standards at Ksh.40,000, and County Government Offices at Ksh.26,223. Other institutions such as Kenya Power (Ksh.23,738), County Public Service Boards (Ksh.17,000), the Immigration Department (Ksh.12,570), Kenya Revenue Authority (Ksh.11,430), and the police (Ksh.11,115) also featured prominently in the list.
On a county level, West Pokot led with the highest average bribe at Ksh.56,695, followed by Nairobi at Ksh.37,768. Murang’a (Ksh.18,378), Kisii (Ksh.16,810), and Uasin Gishu (Ksh.11,136) also recorded significant corruption levels. The findings indicate that corruption is deeply entrenched across different regions, affecting service delivery nationwide.
The report outlines various reasons why Kenyans resort to bribery. A significant 38 per cent stated that bribery was the only way to access services, while 20 per cent revealed that it was explicitly demanded by service providers. Another 19 per cent paid bribes to speed up service delivery, whereas 10.5 per cent did so to avoid trouble with authorities.
The report further reveals that the national average bribe increased from Ksh.6,865 in 2022 to Ksh.11,625 in 2023, highlighting a growing challenge in fighting corruption. With bribery becoming an entrenched part of public service, urgent measures are needed to curb the vice and restore integrity in government institutions.
As corruption continues to thrive, the burden falls on ordinary Kenyans, further deepening inequality and impeding national development.
