Kenya's corruption problem: causes and consequences

Abstract

The culture of corruption has grown roots in Kenyan society at large and become endemic. Institutions, which were designed for the regulation of the relationships between citizens and the State, are being used instead for the personal enrichment of public officials (politicians and bureaucrats) and other corrupt private agents (individuals, groups, and businesses). Corruption persists in Kenya primarily because there are people in power who benefit from it and the existing governance institutions lack both the will and capacity to stop them from doing so. This work takes a governance and development perspective to analytically examine the causes and consequences of corruption in Kenya. It identifies the key factors (such as absence of strong and effective democratic institutions, centralised power, lack of public accountability, and impunity) and synthesises and analyses available data, indicators, and other information in that regard.

Keywords:

• Kenya
• corruption
• causes
• consequences
• development
• governance

Acknowledgements

This is a revised and updated version of part of a paper prepared by the author for presentation at the First African International Business and Management (AIBUMA) Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, 25–27 August 2010. The views expressed are private and do not necessarily represent those of Development Practice International or any other organisation to which the author is affiliated.