NAIROBI, Kenya – A new survey by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has revealed troubling patterns of sextortion across key private sector services, highlighting how vulnerable Kenyans are increasingly being coerced into offering sexual favors to access essential opportunities.
According to the report released on Thursday, April 9 dubbed Kenya Gender & Corruption Survey 2025, job seekers are the most affected, with nearly half of respondents indicating they were asked for sexual favors while pursuing employment.
“This data shows prevalence of sextortion in employment, health services, education and insurance sectors,” EACC pointed out.
The findings point to a deeply entrenched vice within hiring processes, where access to opportunities is sometimes tied to exploitation rather than merit.
The health sector also emerged as a major concern. About a quarter of those surveyed said they encountered such demands when seeking medical services from doctors, while an additional 6 per cent reported similar experiences involving nurses.
This raises serious ethical and safety concerns in spaces meant to provide care and protection.
In the education sector, 4 per cent of respondents reported being asked for sexual favours during secondary school admission processes, underscoring risks even for younger and more vulnerable groups.
The report further shows that sextortion extends into financial and insurance services.
Around 3 per cent of respondents cited demands linked to medical and vehicle insurance services, pointing to exploitation within corporate service delivery.
Cases were also reported among individuals seeking banking and surveying services, suggesting the vice cuts across multiple industries.
According to the findings, 2.3 per cent of respondents reported being asked for sexual favors during loan application processes in private banks.
Workplace dynamics were also flagged, with 1.6 per cent of Kenyans indicating they encountered such demands while seeking job promotions, and 0.8 per cent reporting incidents as part of routine work interactions.
In other sectors, 0.9 per cent of respondents cited experiences involving getting a grant, 0.6 per cent while dealing with private land surveyors, while 0.5 per cent reported cases linked to school fee payments and delivery of goods.
These findings reinforce the report’s broader conclusion that sextortion is not confined to high-risk sectors alone but is a cross-cutting issue affecting multiple layers of service delivery and professional engagement.
Overall, the findings paint a stark picture of sextortion as a widespread and systemic problem in employment, healthcare, education, and financial services sectors.
The EACC warns that without stronger safeguards and accountability, such practices will continue to undermine integrity and public trust in both private institutions and professional services.
