NAIROBI, Kenya- The average bribe in Kenya has surged to Sh6,724 in 2025, up nearly 38pc from Sh4,878 in 2024, according to the Kenya National Gender and Corruption Survey 2025.
The survey, launched on Thursday by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), provides the country’s first gender-disaggregated insights into how corruption affects men and women differently.
EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi A. Mohamud said the survey reveals a disturbing trend: corruption is not gender-neutral.
Women bear a disproportionate burden in accessing essential public services, and 9.3pc reported experiencing sextortion, requests for sexual favors in exchange for services, compared with 7.4pc of men.
Young women seeking employment or medical services are particularly vulnerable.
The survey identifies law enforcement, licensing, and land administration as the sectors with the highest bribery incidences.
These areas are overwhelmingly male-dominated, with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) staffing 92.9pc men and police officers 88.8pc men, exposing systemic gender imbalances that perpetuate corruption.
“The rising bribe amounts and entrenched gender disparities show that we must act decisively,” Mohamud said.
“Citizens have a critical role to play by refusing to pay bribes and using secure reporting channels.”
Despite the alarming statistics, only a small fraction of those encountering corruption report it, often due to fear of retaliation or lack of secure channels.
To address this, the EACC will deploy undercover integrity testing, establish confidential digital reporting platforms, and advocate for mandatory electronic fee payments for high-risk services, including IDs, passports, and court processes.
The Commission aims to reduce bribery in these sectors by at least 20 percent within six months.
The survey’s findings are part of Kenya’s obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and the EACC Act to provide data-driven reporting.
Mohamud emphasized that integrating gender-sensitive ethics frameworks into public institutions is key to equitable service delivery.
The study was conducted in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), and the European Union through the PLEAD II program.
“Corruption is a collective challenge. By refusing bribes and reporting unethical practices, Kenyans become part of the solution, ensuring fairness and dignity for all,” the CEO said.
