Huduma centres, lands offices, and county hospitals top list of corrupt public institutions

A recent survey by the Public Service Commission has revealed that Huduma centres top the list of the most corrupt public service institutions. (Photo: X/Bizna Kenya)

By Maureen Kinyanjui
Wednesday, January 29, 2025

The Ministry of Lands emerged the most corrupt institution, with 27.9 per cent of respondents reporting bribery.

A recent survey has revealed that Huduma centres, county hospitals, and Ministry of Lands offices are the most corrupt public service institutions in Kenya.

The study, conducted by the Public Service Commission (PSC), highlights the areas where Kenyans are most likely to experience corruption when seeking services.

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According to the survey, one in every three Kenyans who visited a Huduma centre had to pay a bribe to get public services.

The findings point to a concerning trend of corruption at public service delivery points, where citizens often suffer in their pursuit of essential services.

A total of 3,247 Kenyans were interviewed for the survey, with 185 (5.7 per cent) reporting experiences of corruption.

While most respondents (83.3 per cent) said they had not encountered corruption, the survey revealed that 24.3 per cent of people who visited county referral hospitals and 19.5 per cent of those who interacted with the Ministry of Lands were forced to deal with bribery.

"The respondents were asked to state whether the institutions where they sought the services were corrupt or not corrupt. When the answer was in the affirmative, they were asked whether bribes were demanded from them or whether they volunteered the bribes," the PSC report stated.

The survey sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by Kenyans in accessing critical public services.

Huduma centres, which bring together various government services under one roof, serve thousands of citizens daily.

County referral hospitals are often the first stop for individuals whose health needs exceed the capacity of smaller clinics, while the land offices play a crucial role in land transactions, including the issuance of title deeds and land transfers.

Out of the 21 public institutions evaluated in the survey, 15 (71.4 per cent) were reported to have corruption issues.

The Ministry of Lands emerged the most corrupt institution, with 27.9 per cent of respondents reporting bribery.

Other institutions that recorded high levels of corruption include the Public Trustee (14.3 per cent), the National Registration Bureau (12.8 per cent), and county commissioner's offices (11.1 per cent).