[Source: The Standard, by Harold Odhiambo]
Kenyans working in public offices have developed a bigger appetite for bribes.
A new report shows corruption cases in the public service increased by 11 per cent and put the office of the Registrar of Persons top among institutions where bribery is rampant.
In the report released by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) yesterday, corruption cases have gone up despite spirited efforts to contain them.
Although the average amount of money public officers ask as a bribe has decreased to Sh3,833 as at the end of 2018 from Sh5,058 at the end of 2017, more public officers are now demanding bribes before offering government services.
EACC Chairman Eliud Wabukala said public officers implicated in corruption allegations should be compelled to step aside.
It points out that while many poor Kenyans are unable to afford bribes, the number of those seeking government services has ballooned over the years.
At least 75.3 per cent of the country’s population is desperately seeking government services.
EACC noted that most people who pay bribes do so to entice State officers to hasten the various processes of service delivery.
The Ministry of Lands has not been spared. Corruption in various lands offices increased by 6.3 per cent in the period under review, while those in Huduma Centres went up by 3.7 per cent.
The report also points out that 32 per cent of Kenyans are willing to engage in corruption if they get an opportunity to do so.
