Majority of young people likely to take bribes, new report shows
National
By
Okumu Modachi
| Dec 11, 2025
A majority of young Kenyans are likely to take a bribe if no one is watching, a new report shows.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) report reveals that almost six in 10 young Kenyans admit they would accept a bribe when out of sight.
EACC Chief Executive Abdi Mohamud described the revelation as “heartbreaking,” noting that corruption continues to disproportionately affect the youth, especially in critical sectors such as education, employment and financial aid services.
“That is not a very encouraging statement,” Mohamud said during the commemoration of International Anti-Corruption Day in Nairobi. “When billions meant for hospitals, roads, markets and university funding vanish into private pockets, it is not just money that is stolen. It is the jobs young people should get, the classrooms that are never built, the loans that never reach your health account and the hope that dies a little more each day. That is the result of corruption.”
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Mohamud said the findings underscore a growing moral crisis among the country’s youth, a generation that suffers the most from corruption, yet one increasingly willing to participate in it.
“These immoral actions by a few individuals are robbing an entire generation of its dignity and its belief in a fair Kenya,” he stated.
This year’s theme, ‘Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity,’ reflects the country’s demographic reality as the majority of Kenyans are young people.
Sports and Youth Affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya urged the youth to take an active role in eradicating graft that robs them of opportunities, erodes trust and undermines the nation’s promise.
“The time has come for young people not to remain mere victims of corruption but to stand as powerful drivers of change. Their creativity, energy and digital savviness place them at the forefront of seeking accountability and shaping national conversations on integrity,” he said.
EACC Chairperson David Oginde also called on young people to scale up activism and demand accountability from leaders.
“Kenya stands at a crossroads. One path leads to a future burdened by corruption, lost opportunities and stunted dreams. The other leads to a Kenya defined by the integrity of its people, a Kenya where every young person has a fair chance, public service is honorable and national prosperity is shared,” he said.
CS Mvurya announced that the government plans to conduct National Youth Council elections next year, providing the youth with a platform to voice grievances, be heard and take part in decision-making processes.