Which counties are leading in bribery payments by Kenyans?

Corruption in Kenya’s public sector remains a heavy tax on citizens, with a significant disparity in the average bribe amounts paid across various regions.

According to the 2025 Kenya National Gender and Corruption Survey by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Kakamega County has emerged as the clear leader in this troubling metric.

Public service seekers in Kakamega part with an average of Sh79,305 per bribe, a figure that dwarfs all other regions and highlights a severe integrity crisis within the county's administrative and enforcement channels.

The financial toll of seeking government services drops significantly outside of Kakamega, yet remains substantial. West Pokot follows as the second most expensive region for bribes, with an average payment of Sh16,400. Northern and Eastern regions also feature prominently in the top tier of the list, with Isiolo recording an average of Sh13,912 and Garissa at Sh12,297.

Vihiga County sits between them, with residents paying approximately Ksh 12,389 to bypass official bottlenecks or secure services.

The survey further identifies a cluster of counties in the Rift Valley and Central regions where bribe averages hover between Sh10,000 and Sh12,000.

These include Kericho at Sh11,799, Nandi at Sh11,664, and Bungoma at Sh11,048.