Revealed: Corruption a major source of problems for Kenyans

Seventy-seven (77) percent of Kenyans believe the government has failed in fighting corruption, a report by Afro barometer has shown.  

According to the survey conducted in 39 African countries, Kenyans rated corruption as their top problem requiring government action.

“On average across 39 countries, a majority (58 per cent) of Africans say corruption increased 'somewhat' or 'a lot' in their country during the preceding year,” the report states.

35 per cent of Kenyans identified corruption as the major source of problems in the country. The survey further reveals that corruption in Kenya has increased by 19 per cent from 2011 to 2023.

Countries like Malawi, Mozambique, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Botswana have recorded increases of between six and seven percentage points in the salience of corruption.

Despite corruption affecting democracy, development, and security, many African citizens do not rate it among their top priorities for government intervention. 

When asked about the most important problems their government should address, respondents cited unemployment at 33 per cent, management of the economy (29 per cent), and the provision of key services such as health (27 per cent), water supply (22 per cent), and infrastructure (22 per cent).

Only 11 per cent of respondents mentioned corruption as a top-priority problem needing government intervention.

The report indicates that corruption surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, which opened new opportunities to siphon off resources meant for the public good. When assessing the involvement of various public officials in corruption, the police consistently topped perceptions of widespread graft.

“On average across 39 countries, almost half (46 per cent) of citizens say that 'most' or 'all' police officials are involved in corruption, in addition to 41% who consider 'some of them' corrupt,” the report shows.

Additionally, tax officials, civil servants, and officials in the Presidency are seen as largely corrupt by 38 per cent of citizens, followed by members of Parliament (36 per cent), business executives (36 per cent), judges and magistrates (35 per cent), and local government councillors (32 per cent).

Bribes for services
Many citizens report having to pay bribes to access public services, and most say people risk retaliation if they report incidents of corruption to the authorities.

Despite numerous government promises to tackle corruption, public evaluations of government performance on the issue have not significantly improved.

77 percent of Kenyans believe the government has failed in fighting corruption.

Most Kenyans (83 per cent) think that ordinary people risk retaliation and other consequences for reporting corrupt activities. 

Overall, only one in four Africans (26 per cent) feel they can report corruption to the authorities without fear of retaliation.
The survey was conducted between 2021 and 2023 through face-to-face interviews, with samples of 1,200-2,400 adults across 39 countries.