EACC report finds bribery most common as average payment hits Sh4,878

EACC headquarters at the Integrity Centre, Nairobi. (Photo: EACC)

By Mary Wambui
Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Institutions where bribery was most prevalent were found to be Assistant County Commissioners' offices and County Administration, Education, Public Works and Transport Departments.

A national survey of corruption in public offices has revealed that bribery is the most prevalent form of graft, with the national average bribe standing at Sh4,878.

This is according to the National Ethics and Corruption Survey (2024) that revealed that giving bribes took the lead at 52.1 per cent followed by receiving of bribes at 41.9 per cent, favoritism (22.5 per cent), abuse of office (14.6 per cent), tribalism and nepotism (11.8 per cent) and embezzlement of public funds (11.7 per cent).

This was caused mainly by unemployment at (49.1 per cent), which ranked first as the most critical problem facing the country today followed by corruption (44.6 per cent), poverty (32.3 per cent), High cost of living (29.9 per cent), inadequate health care (17.4 per cent), poor infrastructure (12.4 per cent) and poor leadership (11.8 per cent).

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"The proportion of those who encountered bribery (demanded, expected and offered) was 30.5 per cent. 18.9 per cent were explicitly asked for a bribe, 10.7 per cent were implicitly expected to pay a bribe, while 0.9 per cent offered to pay a bribe on their own volition," the findings show.

As a result, Kenyans who were asked to pay a bribe in order to receive a service increased to 25.4 per cent in 2024 from 17.7 per cent in 2023.

Most of the respondents (43.3 per cent) paid a bribe because it was demanded, followed by 23.3 per cent who indicated it was the only way to access a service and 18 per cent who paid to avoid delay in service.

The majority (97.2 per cent) of the respondents who experienced bribery incidents did not complain or report to any authority or person, while only 2.8 per cent reported.

The survey further revealed that a bribe was paid each time a service seeker sought to apply for college admission; apply for SHIF card; sought county inspectorate, land survey and housing, and public works services, among others.

Institutions where bribery was most prevalent were found to be Assistant County Commissioners' offices and County Administration, Education, Public Works and Transport Departments.

"On average, services where respondents paid the largest amount of bribes were while seeking employment from the county executive (Sh243,651), followed by obtaining a tender from the national government (Sh100,000) and obtaining a Teachers Service Commission (TSC) placement (Sh72,665)," the findings add.

According to the findings, there is a likelihood that each time one seeks to obtain placement from TSC, a service seeker is asked for a bribe 1.58 times.

Other offices where a service seeker is likely to be asked for a bribe one time include during application for a CDF bursary, college admission, application for NSSF and SHIF cards, and county inspectorate, land survey and housing, and public works services, among others public offices.

"On average, institutions where respondents paid the largest amount of bribes were the Kenya Wildlife Service ( Sh200,000), followed by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) (Sh47,129) and the National Treasury (Pensions Department) (Sh40,000)," the survey adds.

Each time a service is sought in the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, a bribe of 1.25 times is likely to be sought.

In the counties, the impact of bribery on service delivery was found to be more evident in seeking payment from the county executive.

"Each time a person paid a bribe for this service, they were twice as likely to receive the service than if they did not pay the bribe," the findings reveal.

On average, counties where respondents paid the largest amount of bribes were Uasin-Gishu (Sh25,873), followed by Baringo (Sh16,156), Embu (Sh12,878), Homabay (Sh12,381), Bomet (Sh11,650), Kakamega (Sh10,013), Tana-River (Sh9,582), Kiambu (Sh7,982), Nyamira (Sh7,748) and Wajir (Sh7,275);

However, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Marsabit and Wajir were counties where bribery was most prevalent, with all respondents who sought services in these counties paying a bribe.

Bribe payment was also found to have the highest impact in Kakamega, Baringo and Meru counties.

"Each time a person paid a bribe in Kakamega, Baringo and Meru counties, they were 1.37 times and 1.07 times more likely to receive the service, respectively, than if they did not pay the bribe," the findings show.

And in the counties of Kwale, Kilifi and Wajir counties one is likely to be asked for a bribe 1.09 times, 1.03 times and 1.02 times, respectively.

The survey followed a study population consisting of a representative household sample of 5,960 respondents aged 18 years and above distributed across all 47 counties.

They were interviewed on the magnitude of unethical conduct and corruption, perceptions and actual experiences on unethical practices and corruption, awareness levels, access to anti-corruption services and effectiveness of existing anti-corruption initiatives, to establish the status of unethical practices and corruption in the country.

The survey recommends, among others, that a speak-up culture be fostered in government institutions, the private sector and the public to allow employees and citizens to speak and communicate any malpractices without fear or favour.

"The Commission should undertake system examinations in institutions and counties where bribery was either most likely or prevalent, including TSC, Pensions Department (National Treasury), KRA, KWS, NLC, and CDF at the national level."

"At the county level, Uasin-Gishu, Baringo, Kakamega, Tana-River, Wajir, Meru, Marsabit and Muranga counties. This will ensure anti-corruption measures, including policy reforms, procedures and practices are undertaken and thus proactively addressing risks, strengthening compliance efforts and safeguarding institutions and clients from unethical practices," it adds.

It also calls on Parliament to fast-track the enactment of the Whistleblower's Bill, 2021, to encourage reporting of corruption and unethical conduct, since corruption reporting is low due to fear of victimisation by the whistleblowers.