INTEGRITY CENTRE, Nairobi August 6- A recent survey by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has identified the most corrupt counties in Kenya.
The National Ethics and Corruption Survey (NECS) 2024 report highlights the countries where bribery is most prevalent and the services most prone to corruption.
According to the survey, Uasin Gishu, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Marsabit, Embu, Homa Bay, Bomet, Kakamega, Tana River, Kiambu, Meru, Nyamira, and Wajir are among the counties in the country with the highest levels of corruption.
It further reveals that Elgeyo Marakwet, Marsabit, and Wajir counties lead devolved units where one is likely to be asked for a bribe, with all (100%) respondents who sought services in these counties paying a bribe.
Other counties that are considered to be highly corrupt include Kwale, Kilifi, Mandera, Tharaka Nithi, Kitui, Murang’a, Samburu, and Vihiga.
The report also indicates that payment of bribes had the highest impact in Kakamega, Baringo, and Meru counties, where individuals who paid bribes were 1.37 times, 1.07 times, and 1.07 times more likely to receive the service, respectively, than if they did not pay the bribe.
The survey also identified the most prone to bribery, including county land survey and housing services, county inspectorate services, seeking payment from county executives, county public works and services, county health services, and county licenses.
For instance, bribery in public institutions is more evident in the Nanyuki Water and Sewerage Company, and the County Public Service Boards are also prone to bribery.
Respondents reported paying the largest bribes while seeking employment from county executives, parting with an average bribe of Sh243,651.
The report highlights the reasons why individuals pay bribes. According to the findings, 43% of respondents indicated that they paid bribes because they were demanded. Additionally, 23.3% stated that they paid bribes as it was the only way to access a service, while 18% did so to avoid delays in service delivery.
However, the survey also reveals a lack of confidence in anti-corruption efforts, with 92% of respondents who experienced bribery incidents not reporting to any authority, and only 2.8% of respondents reporting bribery incidents.
On a positive note, the survey reveals that most respondents have strong confidence in the Office of the Auditor General in the fight against corruption.
However, respondents lacked confidence in Members of County Assembly (46.6%) and Governors (45.1%) in the fight against corruption.
The report also notes that more than 60% of respondents were dissatisfied with integrity, transparency, and accountability in public service delivery in the counties.
Counties where one is least likely to be asked to pay a bribe for services include Nakuru, Makueni, Kajiado, Narok, Siaya, Kisumu, Trans Nzoia, Nyeri, Bungoma, Lamu, and Nyandarua.
The EACC notes that the report focused on trends, magnitude, likelihood, prevalence, and impact of corruption and unethical conduct in the country to develop the rankings.
The survey had a target sample of 6,000 households, and a total of 5,960 households were interviewed with respondents distributed across all 47 counties.
