Thursday, April 09,
2026 - The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has revealed that
birth certificates, national IDs and driving licences are among the public
services most prone to bribery in Kenya.
The findings, contained in the Kenya National Gender and
Corruption Survey 2025, were compiled through a joint effort by the EACC,
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics,
National Gender and Equality Commission and Transparency International Kenya.
According to the survey, birth certificate applications
attract the highest frequency of bribery at 23 per cent, followed by securing
release from detention (19.2 per cent), medical services (12.8 per cent),
national identification (12.3 per cent) and public utilities (10 per cent).
Other services include passports (4.9 per cent), driving
licences (3.8 per cent), admission to public schools (2.9 per cent) and tax
exemptions (2.6 per cent).
Government job applications were reported at 2.2 per cent,
procurement contracts at 1.5 per cent, building permits at 1.2 per cent and
promotions within Government institutions at 1 per cent.
The survey also tracked average bribe amounts.
Seeking employment in Government institutions attracted the
highest average payment at Ksh85,033, followed by Government contracts at
Ksh24,020 and passports at Ksh12,514.
Bribes for building permits averaged Ksh5,933, admission to
public schools Ksh5,418, and release from detention Ksh5,189.
Smaller payments were reported for tax exemptions
(Ksh4,686), public utilities (Ksh3,536), birth certificates (Ksh1,729),
national IDs (Ksh1,935), and promotions (Ksh1,626).
Citizens admitted paying bribes mainly to speed up services
(32.1 per cent), because it was the only way to access them (27.8 per cent), or
to avoid problems with authorities (12.2 per cent).
Despite the prevalence, reporting remains low, with many
citing mistrust in institutions or viewing bribery as routine.
The Kenyan DAILY POST
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