Kakamega Ranked Most Corrupt County in Kenya – EACC Report

A new report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has revealed that Kakamega County has the highest average bribe payments in Kenya.

The report, released on April 9, 2026, is based on the Kenya National Gender and Corruption Survey 2025. The study was carried out to understand how corruption affects people across different counties and groups in the country.

According to EACC, the survey collected information from thousands of Kenyans in all 47 counties. It used both interviews and data analysis to give a clear picture of how corruption happens in public and private services.

Kakamega Leads in Bribe Amounts

The findings show that Kakamega recorded the highest average bribe at Ksh 79,305, which is much higher than any other county. The report links these large payments mainly to services in the justice system.

Other counties with high average bribes include:

West Pokot County – Ksh 16,400
Isiolo County – Ksh 13,912
Vihiga County – Ksh 12,389
Garissa County – Ksh 12,297

Counties With Lowest Bribes

The report also highlighted counties where people pay the least bribes, showing a big difference across the country. These include:

Kitui County – Ksh 2,168
Siaya County – Ksh 215
Nyamira County – Ksh 1,655
Kilifi County – Ksh 1,559
Baringo County – Ksh 1,314

Survey Aimed at Better Policies

EACC explained that the survey was designed to help the government and other organizations create better policies to fight corruption. It focuses on how different people experience corruption, including men and women.

The study was done together with several organizations, including the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), and Transparency International Kenya.

It also involved the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) under a program that supports legal empowerment.

Focus on Gender and Corruption

The report follows global efforts such as the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, which encourages countries to include gender issues in anti-corruption strategies.

EACC noted that older surveys treated corruption as if it affects everyone the same way. However, this new study shows that experiences can be different depending on gender and other factors.

Growing Concern

The findings have raised new concerns about the level of corruption in Kenya, especially in public service delivery. The report is expected to guide future actions to reduce bribery and improve transparency across countries.