Tough-talking Fred Matiang’i’s Interior docket has been ranked as the most corruption-prone ministry in Kenya, overshadowing previously graft marred institutions such as the Lands ministry by far.
According to an Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) survey, the prevalence of corruption at the ministry stands at 47.5%, a 30% distance from second placed Health Ministry, whose graft prevalence stands at 17.9%.
Mwangi Kiunjuri-led Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation emerged third in the list of shame, scoring 13.8%.
Respondents indicated that one is most likely to experience corruption and unethical conduct in the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government (47.5%) followed by the Ministry of Health (17.9%), Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (13.8%), pic.twitter.com/nkWO7rqNxp
— EACC (@EACCKenya) November 19, 2019
The statistics are contained in the EACC’s National Ethics and Corruption Survey 2018, which also puts Cabinet Secretaries Faridah Karoney, James Macharia, and George Magoha on the spot, for a highly ranked likelihood of Kenyans encountering rogue officers in their Lands, Transport, and Education Ministries respectively.
Interestingly, the Treasury docket’s corruption prevalence stands at a mere 4.2%, despite the numerous graft scandals that have hit the financial management unit of the government, to the point of one Henry Rotich being suspended from office.
The Ministry of Defense also stands out in the list, scoring a 4.5% corruption prevalence rate, just below Eugene Wamalwa’s Devolution and ASALs docket which scored 6.1%.
According to aggregated data from respondents, the average bribe paid to different offices amounted to Ksh 3,833.
Kenyans told the EACC that their biggest reason for agreeing to engage civil servants in unethical conduct is the need for fast service delivery, access to employment opportunities, and general access to government services.
Interestingly, a section of Kenyans offers bribes to demonstrate their lifestyle and class.
Circumstances that encourage Engaging in Unethical Conduct. #NationalEthicsCorruptionSurvey2018 pic.twitter.com/YNi5I8KIM2
— EACC (@EACCKenya) November 19, 2019
Judicial reforms are reflected in the EACC survey, which shows the need to bribe court officials to obtain favourable rulings stands at an insignificant 1.0%.