Kenya has been ranked 121st out of 180 countries in the 2024 Corruption Perception Index (CPI), scoring only 32 points out of a possible 100. The ranking, released by Transparency International, highlights persistent corruption challenges in the country despite efforts to improve governance and accountability.
The Corruption Perception Index measures perceived levels of public sector corruption worldwide, with a score of 100 indicating a country is perceived as highly clean and a score of zero representing severe corruption. Kenya’s score of 32 is below the global average and reflects continued concerns over bribery, mismanagement of public funds, and lack of transparency in government dealings.
Persistent Challenges
Experts have pointed to several factors contributing to Kenya’s poor ranking, including weak enforcement of anti-corruption laws, political interference in investigations, and a lack of accountability for high-profile corruption cases. While agencies such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have made strides in investigating cases, convictions remain rare.
Transparency International Kenya Executive Director Sheila Masinde stated, “This ranking is a wake-up call for the government to take more decisive action against corruption. The public sector must be more transparent, and accountability measures should be strengthened to deter corrupt practices.”
Regional and Global Comparison
Kenya’s ranking places it behind several of its East African counterparts. Rwanda, for example, continues to perform significantly better in the CPI, ranking among the least corrupt nations in Africa. In contrast, Kenya’s ranking is comparable to that of Uganda and Tanzania, which also struggle with corruption-related challenges.
Globally, countries such as Denmark, Finland, and New Zealand topped the list with the highest scores, while nations with ongoing governance crises and political instability ranked the lowest.
Government Response and Way Forward
In response to the ranking, government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura acknowledged the challenges but reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fighting corruption. “We recognise the need to strengthen anti-corruption frameworks and ensure that institutions mandated to fight corruption have the necessary support,” he said.
Analysts recommend greater investment in digital governance to reduce opportunities for corruption, stronger whistleblower protection laws, and judicial reforms to expedite corruption cases. Civil society organisations have also called on citizens to demand greater transparency from leaders and public institutions.
As Kenya grapples with its corruption challenges, the latest CPI ranking serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform and sustained anti-corruption efforts to improve governance and restore public trust.
