Kenyans paid a bribe of over Ksh243K to get county jobs – survey
By David Nthua, August 5, 2025A new report released on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has revealed that job seekers in Kenya are paying an average of Ksh243,651 in bribes to secure county government jobs.
EACC boss Bishop David Oginde, who was accompanied by other top officials during a press briefing in Nairobi, said the figures show how bribery has become deeply rooted in public service hiring, especially at the county level.
The data comes from the 2024 National Ethics and Corruption Survey, which asked thousands of Kenyans to share their experiences while seeking government services.
Bribery cases continue to increase
According to the report, 30.5 per cent of Kenyans who looked for public services in 2024 were asked to give a bribe, compared to 25 per cent in the 2023 report.
County jobs were listed as the most expensive service to get through bribery, with the average bribe reported at Ksh243,651.
“County employment remained the most affected, followed by national government tenders and Teachers Service Commission placements,” the report stated.
People who wanted government tenders paid an average bribe of Ksh100,000, while those seeking teaching jobs through the Teachers Service Commission paid around Ksh72,665.
Police and health workers among top offenders
The officers mentioned most often in the survey were police officers, staff at the National Registration Bureau, and health workers in public hospitals.
Many Kenyans said they paid bribes because it was the only way to get help or to avoid long delays.
“Some gave bribes to avoid delays, others did it because they were directly asked to pay,” the report noted.
Despite paying, most said they did not get what they expected.
“72.5 per cent of the bribe givers said they were dissatisfied with the service received,” the report stated.
Victims are afraid to speak up
The survey found that the majority of people who gave bribes never reported the cases.
“97 per cent of bribery incidents were not reported,” the report stated.
People said they feared being targeted, did not trust the authorities, or believed that reporting would not lead to any action.
Counties with the highest bribery rates
Kwale, Kilifi, and Wajir were listed as the counties with the highest bribery levels.
Elgeyo Marakwet, Marsabit, and Wajir recorded a 100 per cent bribery rate, meaning everyone who sought services there reported paying a bribe.
Uasin Gishu recorded the highest average bribe per incident at Ksh25,873, followed by Baringo at Ksh16,156 and Embu at Ksh12,878.
Few people report the incidents
Only 2.8 per cent of those who experienced bribery said they reported the matter to the authorities.
Out of those who made a report, 70 per cent said nothing was done.
This has made many people lose faith in reporting such cases.