Report Exposes Where Kenyans Pay Bribes Most

Kenya, 9 April 2026 - Kenyans are most likely to encounter bribery not randomly, but in specific public offices where urgency and delays collide, a new national survey shows.

According to the Kenya National Gender and Corruption Survey 2025, police services top the list of bribery hotspots, with everyday interactions such as traffic stops and arrests frequently linked to demands for informal payments.

For many citizens, especially motorists, such payments have become routine, often seen as the quickest way to avoid fines or secure release.

Land offices also stand out, recording some of the highest bribe amounts. Processes such as title transfers and dispute resolution, often slowed by bureaucracy, are pushing applicants to seek shortcuts.

Health facilities are not spared either. Patients report paying extra to access treatment, secure hospital beds or bypass long queues, an issue that hits low-income households the hardest.

“Corruption is concentrated in sectors where citizens have limited alternatives and urgent needs,” the report states.

Geographically, the problem is most visible in urban centres. Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu lead in reported cases, largely due to the high number of daily interactions between citizens and public officials.

At the same time, some smaller counties are also flagged, particularly in land and local administration, where weak oversight has created room for corrupt practices.