Kenya remains among most corrupt states in the world

Kenya has obtained a score of 32 out of 100 in the global Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released by Transparency International today, a score which is below the global average score of 43.

This means that Kenya remains among the most corrupt countries around the world at position 123 out of a total of 180 countries sampled. Kenya’s score of 32 is sub-Saharan Africa’s average score.

In comparison to CPI 2021, Kenya had a change of two scores only from 30 to 32 points. The five-year trend analysis shows that Kenya had a change of five scores between 2018 (27 points) and 2022 (32 points).

“Kenya’s slight improvement over the years can be attributed to a sustained effort in developing policies, laws and building institutions towards the implementation of the 2010 Constitution specifically accountability-focused provisions,” the report says.

Lowest scores

“A similar change is seen on the 10-year trend analysis, where Kenya has had a change of five scores between 2012 (27 points) and 2022. However, there have been fluctuations in between the years with 2014 and 2015 recording the lowest scores at 25 points, and the highest score being recorded in 2022 at 32 points,” the report shows.

There has also been increased awareness on the manifestations of corruption at both national and county levels resulting from a higher media coverage, political rhetoric and civic engagements exposing corruption.  The development of policies, laws, institutions and public dialogue on corruption notwithstanding, Kenya continues to suffer from a high level of petty and grand corruption.

“Petty corruption largely manifests where citizens seeking public services often face demands to pay bribes and decisions by public officials are made on the basis of advancing or safeguarding personal interests,” says TI.

Since 2012, Kenya has scored between 25 and 28, out of 100, having recorded a score of 27 in 2018, depicting slow progress in the fight against corruption.