Where highest bribes are paid in Kenya's public services

A recent survey by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has revealed a staggering disparity in the cost of corruption across Kenya’s public sectors.

According to the 2025 National Gender and Corruption Survey, magistrates at the court demand the highest average bribes, reaching a massive Sh164,367.

This figure dwarfs other sectors, with land registry officers and elected county representatives following at Sh17,996 and Sh13,038, respectively.

While the police and public utility officers are often cited for frequent bribery, their average bribe sizes—Sh4,656 and Sh3,759—are significantly lower than those within the judicial system.