NTSA, TSC, Judiciary among Kenya’s most corrupt institutions—EACC report

In a report released on Tuesday, the National Ethics and Corruption Survey of 2023, EACC noted a high graft prevalence in critical public offices which has hindered the fair delivery of services to Kenyans.

The County Health Department, National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), County Commissioners Office, Public Service Commission and County Public Service Boards were listed as the top five institutions with a 100% graft prevalence.

The commission reported that respondents who sought services in these institutions had to pay a bribe for swift processing.

Other institutions with a 100% prevalence include the National Construction Authority (NCA), Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Kenya Forestry Service (KFS), Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development.

Towing closely with a 98.2% prevalence are the Constituency Development Fund Office (CDF), Dispensary/ Public Hospitals (94.5%), Regular Police (Maintain law and Order) (87.2%) and Registrar of Persons (ID) (77.5%).

Other critical institutions appearing in the list include The Judiciary, the Police Department, the Ministry of Lands, the Ministry of Health, the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).

"The indicator reveals that impact of bribery on service delivery is more evident in application for TSC number, seeking relief food, registration or transfer of vehicle, collection of construction certificate, seeking a driving license, seeking CDF funds and seeking agricultural extension services," read the report in part.

EACC further noted that they observed the highest corruption cases being abetted in Nyamira, Baringo, Siaya, Bungoma, Turkana, West Pokot, Samburu, Nandi, Kakamega and Kisumu all with a 100% prevalence.

The overall national average bribe, EACC added, was Ksh,11,625 in 2023, an increase compared to Ksh.6,865 in 2022.

The survey was conducted from a representative household sample of 5,100 respondents across all 47 counties.

The commission stated that the majority of respondents (57.3%) perceived corruption level to be high in the country.