By Wamuzi News Ke On Monday, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) released an investigative report exposing rampant bribery and corruption within the National Police Service (NPS).
Unveiled at the Embakasi Police Training School, the audit highlighted a sharp increase in the amount of bribes paid to both regular and traffic officers. Between 2022 and 2023, the average bribe for regular police services surged by 39.1%, while traffic police bribes skyrocketed by 84.2%.
According to the findings, citizens paid an average of Ksh11,115 to regular officers and Ksh7,000 to traffic police for various services.
The report also shed light on the alarming rise in costs for essential police documents. In 2023, Kenyans seeking a police abstract had to pay an average of Ksh20,000—a massive jump from Ksh2,000 in 2022—despite it being a standard service under the police charter.
Similarly, individuals requiring police protection in 2023 faced bribes averaging Ksh6,887, compared to just Ksh816 in 2018. However, the cost of bribing for a certificate of good conduct dropped significantly, from Ksh2,183 in 2022 to Ksh541 in 2023.
Over the past two years, bribery incidents involving both regular and traffic police officers have increased. The study found that in 2024, 75 out of 100 people admitted to paying bribes to traffic police, up from 69 out of 100 in 2023 and 2022.
The report attributed the widespread corruption to weak institutional structures that allow unethical conduct to thrive. A lack of proper oversight and accountability within police command was flagged as a key enabler of these practices.
Investigators also revealed that the command hierarchy itself contributes to corruption through unauthorized deductions from officers’ benefits.
Furthermore, the NPS was criticized for failing to establish critical policy frameworks in line with Chapter Six of the Constitution.
Additional concerns included non-compliance with the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012, and a lack of effective anti-corruption measures to prevent these unethical activities.
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