Corruption in Kenya is not just a political scandal, it’s a systemic issue that continues to undermine development, erode public trust, and entrench inequality. Despite years of pledges and reforms, the problem remains deeply embedded in both public institutions and everyday interactions.
According to Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), Kenya scored 32 out of 100, ranking 121st out of 180 countries globally. This places Kenya below the global average (43) and even the Sub-Saharan Africa regional average (33), a clear sign that efforts to curb graft have not yielded meaningful results.
But the statistics only scratch the surface. In Kenya:
1 in 3 citizens reports paying a bribe to access basic services such as healthcare, police protection, or education.
The public procurement sector, which accounts for up to 30% of Kenya’s annual budget, is frequently cited as a hotspot for misappropriation and rigged contracts.
Grand corruption cases, involving billions of shillings, often go unresolved or drag on for years without convictions.
The Office of the Auditor-General continues to raise red flags about unaccounted-for expenditures, irregular payments, and ghost projects across government departments.
Whistleblowers and activists often face threats, intimidation, or loss of livelihood for speaking out.
What makes corruption particularly dangerous in Kenya is that it’s normalized. It shows up not just in high-level scandals, but in the day-to-day hustle, where “chai” (a euphemism for bribes) is often required to move files, avoid harassment, or fast-track services.
Meanwhile, the broader social cost is devastating:
Public hospitals lack basic equipment because funds are misused.
Young people struggle to find jobs while nepotism and patronage thrive.
Infrastructure projects stall or collapse, endangering lives and wasting taxpayer money.
Marginalized groups, especially women, youth, and the poor, bear the brunt of a system designed to exclude them.
This persistent corruption crisis doesn’t just damage Kenya’s economy, it corrodes its soul. And yet, citizen-led accountability has often been ignored or dismissed.
Kenya’s long struggle with corruption has reached a critical point. The public is overburdened by a system where 1 in 3 citizens reports paying bribes for essential services like healthcare, police protection, and education. Procurement fraud consumes up to 30% of the national budget, while grand corruption cases drag on unresolved, and whistleblowers are silenced or threatened.
Meanwhile, despite annual reports from oversight bodies such as the Office of the Auditor-General, accountability remains elusive. Billions of shillings vanish into ghost projects or irregular payments, often with no consequences for those responsible.
What this points to is not just failure, but a gap: a missing link between public awareness, legal empowerment, and real-time accountability. That’s where our APP Janjaruka comes in.
Janjaruka is a civic weapon, a digital guardian, and an educational toolkit in the palm of every Kenyan.
This mobile-first solution is designed to empower everyday citizens to become informed, engaged, and protected in their fight against corruption.
Janjaruka seeks to fight corruption four pillars:
What Sets Janjaruka Apart?
Janjaruka aims to foster a culture of legality, transparency, and civic accountability. It's not only about fighting corruption but also about creating a Kenya where the law works for the people, not just for the powerful. Janjaruka turn smartphones into tools for justice.