NAIROBI, Kenya- Seeking college admission, applying for bursaries, or even getting an NHIF card?
According to the 2024 National Ethics and Corruption Survey, the average Kenyan now faces a high likelihood of being asked for a bribe while accessing these essential public services.
The survey, conducted by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), reveals that several basic services are highly vulnerable to bribery demands.
For instance, the likelihood of being asked for a bribe during:
- College admission is 1.00
- Application for bursary (CDF) is 1.00
- NHIF or NSSF card application is 1.00
That means that for every attempt to access these services, respondents reported facing at least one instance of bribery.
“These services rank among the most bribery-prone in Kenya, alongside land survey, housing, and county inspectorate services,” the report stated.
The corruption is not just limited to likelihood—it also impacts access. The EACC found that bribe payments made service access significantly more probable.
In institutions such as Nanyuki Water and Sewerage Company, those who paid bribes were twice as likely to receive service as those who did not.
The prevalence of bribery was particularly high in departments like County Administration, Education, Public Works, and Transport—where respondents said they paid bribes every time they sought services.
In Elgeyo-Marakwet, Marsabit, and Wajir counties, 100% of those who visited public offices reported paying a bribe.
Even more concerning is the reason behind the bribes:
- 43.3% paid because it was demanded,
- 23.3% said it was the only way to access a service,
- 18% paid to avoid delays.
The national average bribe in 2024 stood at Sh4,878, but some services commanded far higher amounts—especially when connected to job placement or tenders.
Despite these figures, only 2.8% of those affected reported the bribery to authorities. The remaining 97.2% stayed silent.
The EACC recommends increased public awareness and simplified reporting channels to counter this trend.
As part of its call to action, it highlights the importance of leveraging technology and stakeholder partnerships to monitor essential services and reduce corruption touchpoints.
