A new national survey has revealed that Uasin Gishu County recorded the highest average bribe size in Kenya, placing it at the top of the corruption cost chart. The Ethics and Anti‑Corruption Commission (EACC) found that citizens in the county are paying more per bribe than anywhere else in the country highlighting how expensive corruption has become at the local level.
Highlights
- Uasin Gishu leads all counties with the highest average bribe paid.
- The average bribe across Kenya jumped to KSh 11,625 in 2023.
- Key sectors linked to bribery include NTSA, Judiciary, and KEBS.
- EACC’s National Ethics and Corruption Survey exposed widespread irregularities.
- Corruption remains deeply embedded in both urban and rural counties.
Main Story
According to the 2023 National Ethics and Corruption Survey by the Ethics and Anti‑Corruption Commission (EACC), Uasin Gishu County recorded the highest average bribe paid in Kenya. Residents reportedly parted with an average of KSh 11,136 per bribe, a figure that reflects how entrenched and costly corruption has become in the region.
While counties like Nairobi and West Pokot followed with similarly high figures, Uasin Gishu’s average pushed it to the top raising concern over the cost burden of accessing basic public services.
Nationwide, the average bribe paid by Kenyans nearly doubled, rising from KSh 6,865 in 2022 to KSh 11,625 in 2023. This reflects not only the persistence of corruption, but also the increasing amounts citizens are forced to pay to get things done from getting a license to accessing justice or avoiding harassment
Some of the institutions linked to the highest average bribes include the NTSA (KSh 81,801), Judiciary (KSh 49,611), and KEBS (KSh 40,000). These figures suggest a system where large sums are exchanged for favours, clearances, or even basic services that should be free or fair.
The report highlights that corruption is no longer limited to major cities. In fact, rural and mid-sized counties like Uasin Gishu are now just as affected if not more in terms of how much citizens pay per bribe. Counties such as Baringo, Busia, Nakuru, and Machakos were also flagged for high bribery incidents.
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If getting services depends on how deep your pockets are, then where does that leave the ordinary mwananchi?
