Governor Barasa Warns Kakamega Staff After EACC Exposes Widespread Bribery

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has sent a strong warning to county officials following shocking findings from the latest Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) report, which linked the county to widespread bribery in public service delivery.

The governor said his administration will take firm disciplinary action against any staff found engaging in corruption, stressing that honesty and accountability must remain at the centre of county operations.

His remarks came shortly after the EACC survey ranked Kakamega as the county with the highest average bribe amount in Kenya at Ksh79,305.

Speaking on Friday, April 10, during the burial of the late Principal Caroline Khamete at Kakamega County Polytechnic, Barasa publicly addressed the findings of the Kenya National Gender and Corruption Survey 2025 for the first time.

He expressed deep concern that corruption has become deeply rooted in both county and national government offices operating within Kakamega, saying the vice is now affecting the normal delivery of services to residents.

He specifically pointed out that even magistrates’ services in the county were among the most affected areas, showing how serious the problem has become.

The EACC report painted a worrying picture, placing Kakamega at the top of the national list for the highest average bribe paid by citizens seeking services. Other counties also mentioned in the report included West Pokot, Isiolo, Vihiga, and Garissa, though all recorded figures far below Kakamega’s.

The survey further showed that corruption remains common in critical services such as the processing of birth certificates, national identity cards, and driving licences, forcing many Kenyans to pay unofficial fees just to access essential government services.

In his warning, Barasa made it clear that county workers should consider themselves under close watch. He said his government will be more vigilant going forward and will only retain and recruit officers who demonstrate integrity in serving the people.

The governor’s tough message signals a possible crackdown within the county administration, especially after the embarrassing national ranking placed Kakamega at the centre of Kenya’s corruption conversation.

He also called on the EACC to increase its presence in Kakamega and even set up a temporary operations base in the county to speed up investigations.

According to Barasa, having anti-corruption officers on the ground would help identify, investigate, and arrest those involved in bribery networks that continue to frustrate wananchi seeking public services.

He insisted that the fight against corruption will require cooperation between the county government and investigative agencies.

The development comes just a day after Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka carried out his own major administrative shake-up by dismissing nearly the entire senior county leadership team.

Those affected included Members of the County Executive Committee, the County Attorney, and the County Secretary. Lusaka said the sweeping decision was meant to improve efficiency, strengthen governance, and restore public confidence in county institutions.

Although Lusaka did not immediately announce replacements, he said interim arrangements would be put in place as the county prepares for fresh appointments in line with the law.

His move, together with Barasa’s warning in Kakamega, reflects growing pressure on county governments to clean up their systems and improve service delivery amid rising public anger over corruption.

The EACC survey, which was prepared jointly with agencies such as the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), the National Gender and Equality Commission, UNODC, and Transparency International Kenya, has now sparked fresh debate about the state of governance in the country.

With the report exposing how bribery continues to affect everyday services, leaders are increasingly being forced to respond with visible action to reassure the public that corruption will no longer be tolerated

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