Kenya is a country not exempt from the scourge of corruption.
Unlike in the West, in Africa corruption is often more tangible and easily reaches people's perception, because it starts from the lower echelons of authorities, offices and civil servants, at every level. It is not a rule, but the habit is very widespread, sometimes friendly, childish or polite, sometimes forced, arrogant, threatening. However, it is practised by a minority of people, many of whom are occasional corrupts, whose percentage increases if they have to deal with foreigners.
It has to be said that the corrupt would have life less easy if there were not the corrupters who not only taught them this bad habit, but feed it on a daily basis. Lately, the Kenyan government, grappling with a public debt that has become burdensome in recent years, has realised that corruption wastes resources and wastes billions from the state coffers and has started to fight it especially at the lower levels of the system.
Every day, in the local news, there are reports of people being investigated or arrested for corruption, at all levels.

ANTI-CORRUPTION

In Kenya, on the other hand, there is an Anti-Corruption Bureau (EACC) that has slowly grown in importance and power and, by striking hundreds of civil servants in the twelve years it has been in existence, is beginning to be a 'bulky' presence for those who practice malfeasance.
Therefore, it is useful to know that if corruption is part of the most miserable inclinations of human beings, an antidote has been created in Kenya that is becoming very effective.
Just a few days ago in Malindi, an assistant district officer was arrested on charges of pocketing a bribe of 15 thousand shillings, after having asked for 20 thousand, to help a citizen solve a land encroachment problem in the Muyeye area.
In addition to the first charge (which also concerns the bribe-giver), the officer is also on trial for abuse of office and is on bail with a bail amounting to about twenty times the 'bribe' received.

THE ADVICE

The advice that the portal of Italians in Kenya gives to its compatriots who may be victims of attempted extortion or bribery, is to initially humour the person and take their time, trying to get evidence of the bribe imposed. The most frequently used (and effective) method is to exchange telephone contacts and messages, asking for clarification and agreement, or to pay an advance through the Mpesa service. In this case, many showed up at the appointment with the person, directly with plainclothes anti-corruption officers who arrested the bribe taker, catching him in the act.

HOW TO CONTACT THE EACC

To request an investigation, you can draw up a report, as detailed as possible, and send it to this email: report@integrity.go.ke

Instead, to request an intervention or ask for information, you can call the following numbers at headquarters or at the many offices in the area.

NAIROBI
(020) - 2717468 / 0727 285663 / 0733 520641
Phone: (020) - 2717468

Mombasa
Phone: (041) - 2319081 / (041) - 2319082

Kisumu
Phone: (057) 2023111

Nakuru
Mobile: 0731 888064; 0702 391280

Eldoret
Phone: (053) - 2033630 / (053) - 2033633
Mobile No: 0703-602727 / 0789-776600

Nyeri
Phone: (061) - 2030500 / (061) - 2030941
Mobile No: 0703-204580 / 0789-665500

Garissa
Phone: (046) - 210 2100 / (046) - 210 2200
Mobile No: 0729-480 404 / 0737-994 444

Kisii
Mobile: 0773 194707; 0770 912192;
0724267332; 0780888028

Isiolo
Mobile: 0731 888067; 0702 391293

Machakos
Mobile: 0731 888034; 0702 391282
Malindi
Mobile: 0731 888056; 0702 391270
Email: eaccmalindi@integrity.go.ke

Bungoma
Mobile: 0731 888059; 0702 391287

JKIA NAIROBI AIRPORT
Mobile: 0731 888082; 0702 391295
Email: eaccjkia@integrity.go.ke

(Photo credit: Chikaforafrica)