Systemic Corruption from the Top

A series of damning reports from Kenya's leading anti-graft bodies have laid bare the mechanics of sophisticated extortion rackets within the National Police Service (NPS), implicating senior officers in orchestrating and benefiting from widespread bribery. Investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and Transparency International (TI) Kenya throughout 2024 and 2025 consistently rank the police as the most corrupt public institution in the country.

An EACC audit conducted between February and June 2025, and presented on Thursday, November 13, 2025, exposed a structured extortion network, particularly within the traffic department. According to the findings, senior officers set daily or weekly bribery targets for their juniors. These officers are then strategically deployed to high-traffic areas to harass motorists, public service vehicle (PSV) operators, and business owners to meet these illicit quotas. The collected funds are then funneled up the chain of command, enriching senior officials and perpetuating a cycle of corruption. A task force led by former Chief Justice David Maraga also confirmed that money collected by junior officers is shared up the command hierarchy.

The Cost to Kenyans

This systemic extortion has a profound impact on the daily lives of Kenyans. For many, paying a bribe is not a choice but a prerequisite for accessing essential services or avoiding harassment. The 2025 Kenya Bribery Index by Transparency International, released on July 17, 2025, found that police officers were responsible for nearly 40% of all reported bribes nationwide. The likelihood of a citizen encountering a bribery situation when interacting with the police was a staggering 72.2%. The average bribe demanded by police was reported to be Sh6,862.

Motorists, especially matatu and boda boda operators, describe the practice as a form of illegal daily tax. Refusal to pay often leads to fabricated charges, vehicle impoundment, or other forms of intimidation. This not only drains the finances of individuals and small businesses but also erodes public trust in law enforcement and undermines the rule of law, impacting the broader Kenyan economy.

Deep-Rooted Institutional Flaws

The EACC reports highlight that these extortion rackets are a symptom of deeper institutional failures within the NPS. The commission's audit flagged rampant corruption, tribalism, and political interference in police recruitment processes. Skewed advertisements and inconsistent selection criteria create opportunities for graft, compromising the integrity of the service from the point of entry. Furthermore, the EACC found that transfers and deployments are often influenced by bribery, with desirable posts, such as those in the traffic department, allegedly carrying a "price tag". Conversely, transfers are also used punitively against officers who do not comply with corrupt demands.

Oversight and Proposed Reforms

While oversight bodies like the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) exist to investigate police misconduct, they face significant challenges. A recent EACC report noted that the IAU is severely understaffed, with only 74 staff members against an approved 1,168, critically hampering its effectiveness. In September 2025, an IAU report revealed that the Kenya Police Service accounted for 78% of the 918 complaints filed against police in the previous year, with grievances ranging from bribery and harassment to failure to act.

In response to these findings, government officials have acknowledged the severity of the problem. Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, speaking on November 13, 2025, stated that officers found culpable would face legal consequences. The government has also announced sweeping reforms, including a review of policing laws and moving recruitment online to enhance transparency. Ahead of a nationwide recruitment of 10,000 constables scheduled for Monday, November 17, 2025, both the NPS and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen have publicly assured that the process will be free of corruption. However, given the deeply embedded nature of the corruption, Kenyan citizens and watchdog organizations remain skeptical, emphasizing the need for concrete, sustained action beyond public pronouncements.