NAIROBI, Kenya- The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and Constituency Development Fund (CDF) are among the top public services where Kenyans are most likely to be asked for a bribe, according to the National Ethics and Corruption Survey 2024.
For every interaction with the TSC—particularly when seeking job placements—a Kenyan is likely to be asked for a bribe 1.58 times, the highest likelihood score recorded in the survey.
Other services where bribery likelihood was high include:
- Application for CDF bursaries: 1.00
- College admissions: 1.00
- Application for NSSF and SHIF cards: 1.00
- Land survey and county housing services: 1.00
“There is a likelihood that each time a service is sought in the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, one is likely to be asked for a bribe 1.25 times,” the report states.
At the county level, the top three bribery-prone counties were Kwale (1.09), Kilifi (1.03), and Wajir (1.02)—indicating a systemic issue affecting service delivery.
The EACC attributes this trend to deep-rooted practices in institutions where bribe-seeking has become normalized. “A bribe was paid each time a service seeker sought to apply for college admission; apply for SHIF card; [or] sought county inspectorate, land survey and housing services,” it says.
Shockingly, 43.3% of respondents said they paid bribes because it was directly demanded, while 23.3% said it was the only way to get the service.
The report also highlights that despite the high incidence of bribery, only 2.8% of those who encountered it ever reported the matter to authorities.
The EACC is now urging targeted system audits and reforms in high-risk institutions, including TSC, NSSF, and CDF, to curb corruption and protect service seekers.
