Uasin Gishu Tops List as EACC Releases Rankings of Kenya’s Most Corrupt Counties

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has unveiled a damning report that exposes the counties where citizens are most likely to encounter demands for bribes when seeking public services, with Uasin Gishu leading a troubling list of corruption hotspots across the country.

The National Ethics and Corruption Survey 2024, released on Tuesday, paints a stark picture of corruption in Kenya’s devolved units, revealing that residents of Uasin Gishu, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Marsabit, and several other counties face the highest likelihood of being asked for bribes to access basic government services.

According to the comprehensive study, which interviewed 5,960 households across all 47 counties between November and December 2024, Elgeyo Marakwet, Marsabit, and Wajir emerged as the counties with the most pervasive bribery culture.

In these three counties, a staggering 100 percent of respondents who sought services from devolved units reported having to pay bribes.

The financial burden of corruption weighs heaviest on residents of Uasin Gishu, where citizens pay an average of Sh25,873 in bribes—the highest amount recorded in the survey.

Baringo follows with an average of Sh16,156, while Embu residents part with Sh12,878 on average when forced to pay bribes for services.

The survey reveals that corruption has become so entrenched in some counties that paying bribes significantly increases one’s chances of receiving services.

In Kakamega, Baringo, and Meru counties, those who paid bribes were 1.37 times and 1.07 times more likely to receive the services they sought compared to those who refused to pay.

County land survey and housing services emerged as the most corruption-prone public services, followed closely by county inspectorate services and interactions with county executives.

The report highlighted a particularly alarming finding regarding employment opportunities within county governments, where job seekers reportedly pay an average bribe of Sh243,651 to secure positions with county executives.

In contrast, the survey identified a group of counties where citizens face significantly lower risks of corruption.

Nakuru, Makueni, Kajiado, Narok, Siaya, Kisumu, Trans Nzoia, Nyeri, Bungoma, Lamu, and Nyandarua topped the list of least corrupt counties, offering hope that ethical governance is possible within Kenya’s devolved system.

The research uncovered troubling insights into why corruption persists.

Most respondents—43 percent—reported paying bribes simply because they were demanded, while 23.3 percent said it was the only way to access services.

Another 18 percent paid to avoid delays in service delivery.

Perhaps most concerning is the culture of silence surrounding corruption.

The survey found that 92 percent of those who experienced bribery incidents never reported them to any authority, with only 2.8 percent taking the step to formally complain.

This silence perpetuates the cycle of corruption by allowing corrupt officials to operate without consequence.

Integrity Centre in Nairobi which houses the headquarters of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.

The EACC’s findings extend beyond individual transactions to reveal systemic issues within county governance structures.

County Public Service Boards were specifically flagged as being prone to bribery, while entities like Nanyuki Water and Sewerage Company were cited as examples where corruption in public institutions is particularly evident.

Public confidence in the fight against corruption remains mixed, according to the survey.

While religious organizations enjoyed the highest confidence ratings at 39.7 percent, followed by private broadcasting stations at 38.8 percent, political leaders fared poorly.

Members of County Assembly and Governors recorded confidence levels of just 46.6 percent and 45.1 percent respectively in their commitment to fighting corruption.

The report also revealed widespread dissatisfaction with governance standards, with more than 60 percent of respondents expressing disappointment with integrity, transparency, and accountability in public service delivery at the county level.

These findings come at a critical time as Kenya continues to grapple with the challenges of devolution, which was introduced to bring services closer to citizens and improve accountability.

The survey suggests that while devolution has succeeded in devolving services, it has also, in many cases, devolved corruption to the county level.

The EACC’s comprehensive study, which employed both quantitative and qualitative research methods including Computer Assisted Personal Interviews, represents one of the most thorough examinations of corruption trends in Kenya’s devolved governance system since counties were established over a decade ago.

As Kenya’s counties prepare for the next electoral cycle, these findings provide crucial data for voters, civil society organizations, and development partners working to strengthen governance and accountability at the grassroots level.

The challenge now lies in translating these revelations into concrete actions that can restore public trust and ensure that devolution delivers on its promise of bringing ethical, efficient governance closer to the people.