The government will target the police, land registries and the National Transport and Safety Authority in a new anti-corruption crackdown that aims to reduce bribery by at least 20 per cent within six months.
According to a new report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission released on April 9, the reforms are designed to tackle corruption in frontline services where Kenyans face the highest risk of extortion.
“The focus is on sectors with the highest citizen interaction and bribery prevalence. These targeted interventions are expected to deliver measurable reductions within a short period,” the report states.
The plan marks a shift from identifying corruption trends to enforcing concrete action, with authorities proposing undercover integrity tests, enhanced surveillance and specialised investigations into bribery networks within key institutions.
A dedicated task force will also be established to investigate judicial corruption in high-risk counties, including Kakamega.
To address widespread inaction on reported cases, the report recommends strict timelines for handling complaints. Investigating agencies will be required to provide updates within 14 days and conclude cases within 90 days.
“Failure by public officials to act on valid corruption complaints should attract sanctions,” the report says, pointing to systemic weaknesses in accountability.
The reforms also seek to empower citizens to report corruption safely through anonymous digital platforms, including USSD-based systems accessible on basic mobile phones.
“Secure and confidential reporting mechanisms are critical in encouraging citizens to come forward without fear of retaliation,” the report notes.
In a bid to eliminate opportunities for bribery, the government is proposing mandatory electronic payments for key public services such as birth certificates, national identity cards, passports and court processes.
“All high-risk services should transition to cashless payment systems to enhance transparency and create audit trails,” the report states.
Beyond financial corruption, the report highlights the need to address sextortion where officials demand sexual favours in exchange for services particularly affecting women and young job seekers.
“Public institutions must adopt clear protocols to detect, prevent and respond to sextortion, including linking survivors to legal and psychosocial support,” the report says.
To improve access to anti-corruption services, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission plans to expand its presence through mobile units in underserved counties such as Turkana, Garissa and West Pokot, and recruit community liaison officers to handle complaints in local languages.
The report further recommends the introduction of county-level corruption indices to track performance and hold local administrations accountable.
“Publishing county-specific corruption data will enhance transparency and drive competition in improving integrity standards,” it states.
In the long term, the reforms call for stronger legal frameworks to criminalise gender-based corruption, greater coordination among oversight agencies and the integration of ethics and integrity into public sector performance systems.
The report also urges partnerships with civil society, the private sector and faith-based organisations to promote behavioural change and strengthen public accountability.
While the proposals outline an ambitious roadmap, their success will depend on enforcement and political will.
“The implementation of these recommendations is critical to restoring public trust and reducing the burden of corruption on citizens,” the report concludes.
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