Bribery demands have been highlighted as one of the barriers for American investors seeking to set up shop and do business in Kenya.
In the 2024 Biennial Report on the Implementation of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, the Office of the United States Trade Representative noted that US firms had complained of being asked for bribes when conducting business.
The report noted that the investors would therefore lose out to other investors from other countries.
On the other hand, the investors added that they would be asked to contravene the law in some instances, hence making it difficult to do business in the country.
However, the specific firms and individuals affected by the bribery demands were not made public.
"Despite progress, corruption remains one of the most significant barriers to doing business in Kenya, with US firms reporting that they find it difficult to compete with companies willing to ignore legal standards or engage in bribery and other forms of corruption," read the report in part.
"Kenya ranked 126 out of 180 countries in Transparency International's 2023 Corruption Perception Index."
Despite the obstacles highlighted, the US noted that the country was making some strides in combating corruption.
Among the initiatives indicated were cases that had been filed against some government officials.
"The GOK continues its public campaign to combat corruption and its anticorruption agencies appear to be coordinating more effectively, including bringing cases against government officials," read the report in part.
"Kenya has an independent judicial system that guarantees the rights and freedoms of the population. The constitution and law protect political pluralism and provide citizens the ability to choose their government in free and fair periodic elections held by secret ballot and based on universal and equal suffrage.
Another barrier affecting trade between Kenya and the US was import licencing which was described as non-transparent and discretionary.
This was noted to have affected agricultural, poultry and meat imports from the US.
