Kenya’s battle against corruption continues to bore fruits, as evidenced by its latest ranking in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). 2024, released by Transparency International, scoring 32 out of 100, up from 31 in the previous year. The country has also climbed five places in the global rankings, moving from 126th to 121st out of 180 countries.
The CPI assesses perceived levels of public sector corruption, with a score of 100 indicating a very clean system and 0 signifying extreme corruption. Despite the modest progress, Kenya’s score remains below the global average, highlighting persistent governance challenges.
Kenya’s improved ranking comes amid intensified anti-corruption efforts, including legal reforms, increased prosecutions of graft cases, and stricter oversight mechanisms in public institutions. The government has also strengthened anti-money laundering laws and enhanced whistleblower protections, contributing to the progress.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) have ramped up investigations and asset recovery initiatives, leading to convictions of high-profile individuals. Additionally, efforts to digitize government services have reduced opportunities for bribery and embezzlement.
While Kenya’s ranking has improved, corruption remains deeply entrenched, particularly in public procurement, law enforcement, and political institutions. Reports indicate that bribery, mismanagement of public funds, and weak enforcement of anti-corruption laws continue to hinder progress.
A recent Transparency International survey found that over 40% of Kenyans admitted to paying bribes for public services, highlighting the need for stronger institutional reforms. The country also struggles with state capture, where powerful individuals manipulate government policies and decisions for personal gain.
Transparency International Kenya has urged the government to enhance judicial independence, protect whistleblowers, and enforce anti-corruption laws without political interference. Experts also emphasize the need for increased public participation and transparency in governance.
Kenya’s slight CPI improvement signals positive momentum, but sustained efforts will be crucial in the fight against corruption. With consistent reforms and political will, Kenya could further improve its ranking in future reports and move closer to becoming a corruption-free society.
