Nyamira, Baringo, Siaya, Bungoma, and Turkana Counties Top in Bribery

Nyamira, Baringo, Siaya, Bungoma, and Turkana are the five counties where bribery is most prevalent, a report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has revealed.

The Commission’s National Survey report noted that service seekers in the five counties pay a bribe.

EACC said Busia, Baringo, Nairobi, Nakuru, and Machakos Counties are the five most bribery-prone counties.

In West Pokot on average one paid a bribe of Sh56, 695, in Nairobi Sh37,768, in Murang’a Sh18,378, in Kisii Sh16,810 and Uasin Gishu Sh11,136, in Kitui Sh9,849) Busia Sh7,468, and Tharaka-Nithi Sh7,041.

Baringo 2,308 Narok 2,098 Kwale 2,025 Turkana 2,007 Bungoma 1,836 Elgeyo-Marakwet 1,587 Nandi 1,271 Taita Taveta 1,142 Samburu 1,103 Migori 1,070 Marsabit 902 Kericho 681 Kakamega 538.

“Each time a service is sought in Busia County one is likely to be asked for a bribe. Each time a service is sought in Baringo, Nairobi, Nakuru, and Machakos counties one is likely to be asked for a bribe,” read the report in part.

Average bribe paid in each County from highest to lowest

1. County Average (KES)

2. West Pokot Sh56,695

3. Nairobi Sh37,768

4. Murang’a Sh18,378

5. Kisii Sh16,810

6. Uasin Gishu Sh10,136

7. Kitui Sh9,849

8. Busia Sh7,468

9. Tharaka-Nithi Sh7,041

10. Nyamira Sh7,035

11. Kajiado Sh6,067

12. Meru Sh5,711

13. Embu Sh5,628

14. Homabay Sh5,057

15. Wajir Sh4,817

16. Garissa Sh4,580

17. Makueni Sh4,519

18. Nakuru Sh4,395

19. Mandera Sh4,341

20. Siaya Sh4,272

21. Kirinyaga Sh4,092

22. Isiolo Sh4,070

23. Laikipia Sh3,640

24. Nyandarua Sh3,629

25. Lamu 3,234

26. Trans ShNzoia 3,196

27. Machakos Sh3,157

28. Nyeri Sh2,784

29. Kiambu Sh2,665

30. Kisumu Sh2,547

31. Mombasa Sh2,400

32. Baringo Sh2,308

33. Narok Sh2,098

34. Kwale Sh2,025

35. Turkana Sh2,007

36. Bungoma Sh1,836

37. Elgeyo-Marakwet Sh1,587

38. Nandi Sh1,271

39. Taita Taveta Sh1,142

40. Samburu Sh1,103

41. Migori Sh1,070

42. Marsabit Sh902

43. Kericho Sh681

44. Kakamega Sh538

45. Tana River Sh505

46. Kilifi Sh162

The Commission said each time a person paid a bribe in Bungoma they were 1.14 times more likely to receive the service than if they did not pay and each time a person paid a bribe in Samburu, Kakamega, and Kisumu they were more likely to receive the service than if they did not pay.

The average size of the bribe

The overall national average bribe EACC in the survey was Sh11,625 in 2023 indicating an increase compared to Sh6, 865 in 2022.

Service seekers as per the report, paid Sh163,260 while seeking employment, Sh74,428 while applying for a passport, Sh20,300 while seeking a police abstract, Sh17,000 while obtaining a tender, and Sh12,673 while solving land conflict.

“On average, service seekers paid the largest amount of bribe at the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Sh81, 801, the Judiciary Sh49, 611, and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Sh40, 000,” read the report.

Share of National Bribe

The largest share of national bribes was paid for passport application (35.8 per cent), seeking employment (22.1%), seeking a police abstract (11.5%) and bailing of arrested individuals (10.3%).

The institutions that received the largest share of national bribes the report revealed are NTSA (33.6%) and police (20.7%).

About counties the largest shares of national bribes were paid in Nairobi (54.45%), West Pokot (13.87%), and Uasin Gishu (3.7%) Counties.

Likelihood of Bribery Demand by Service

A service seeker it was noted is likely to be asked for a bribe 1.41 times while seeking police security services.

Likelihood of Bribery Demand in Public Institutions

Traffic police, County Health Department, and Regular Police are the three most bribery-prone public institutions.

“There is a likelihood that each time a service is sought in the Traffic police department, County health department and in the Regular Police one is likely to be asked for a bribe 1.45, 1.05 and 1.02 times, respectively,” read the survey.

Average Size of Bribes Paid in Public Institutions

EACC said on average, people paid the largest amount of bribes in the National Transport and Safety Authority (KES 81,801).

“Other public institutions where service seekers had to pay large bribe amounts to access services were: the Judiciary (KES 49,611), the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) (KES 40,000) and the County Government offices (KES 26,223),” stated the Commission.

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