Reasons why Kenyans refused to pay bribe to public officials

Financial constraints and personal integrity are the primary reasons Kenyans refuse to pay bribes, according to a recent EACC survey.

The 2025 National Gender and Corruption Survey reveals that 44.7% of respondents declined to pay simply because they could not afford the requested gift or payment.

Beyond financial barriers, 31.9% cited moral grounds, stating that refusing was "the right, moral thing to do." Other factors included having alternative ways to access services (13.1%) and fear of legal repercussions (8.7%).

These findings suggest that while economic hardship limits corruption, a significant portion of the population remains committed to ethical standards.