Nairobi County ranked the most corrupt in Kenya.
Nairobi County has been ranked the most corrupt county in Kenya, according to a recent survey by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). The findings, released in early 2024, indicate that Nairobi, along with Busia, Baringo, Nakuru, and Machakos, are the top counties where residents are most frequently asked for bribes when seeking services.
The EACC report highlighted that on average, individuals seeking services in Nairobi County face a likelihood of being asked for a bribe 1.12 times. This is part of a broader trend where the national average bribe has increased significantly from KSh 6,865 in 2022 to KSh 11,625 in 2023. The report also pointed out that the most significant bribes were paid for employment opportunities, passport applications, and police abstracts.
In response to these findings, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has called for a thorough investigation into the county’s employment practices. In a letter to the EACC, Sakaja described instances where job seekers were duped into paying for employment opportunities that never materialized. He stressed that such practices are “not only unethical but blatantly illegal” and undermine the integrity of public sector employment.
Governor Sakaja’s call for an investigation underscores the need for transparency and accountability within the county’s administration. He emphasized that the EACC’s role is critical in identifying and prosecuting those involved in these corrupt practices, which he described as particularly devastating given the high levels of unemployment and economic hardship in the area.
The survey also revealed broader corruption trends across the country, with the Interior and Coordination of National Government Ministry being identified as the most bribe-prone, followed by the ministries of Health and Transport. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the judiciary were among the institutions where bribes were most expensive, indicating widespread corruption6 across various sectors.
The revelations have sparked a national debate on the effectiveness of current anti-corruption measures and the need for more stringent enforcement. The EACC’s findings are expected to prompt further scrutiny and reforms aimed at curbing corruption and restoring public trust in government institutions.
As the investigations and discussions unfold, residents of Nairobi and other affected counties are hopeful for meaningful changes that will address these deeply rooted issues. The EACC’s survey serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing battle against corruption in Kenya and the need for persistent efforts to eliminate this pervasive problem.
