Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) CEO Abdi Mohamud, on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, revealed that nearly six out of every ten young Kenyans would accept bribes if no one was watching.
Speaking at the International Anti-Corruption Day celebrations at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Mohamud expressed concern over the worrying trend among young Kenyans.
"Even though youth actually suffer the greatest when it comes to the effects of corruption, 6 out of 10 say they will engage if given the opportunity. That is not a very encouraging statement," Mohamud stated.
The EACC boss highlighted how corruption directly impacts youth through high bribery rates in education, employment, and financial aid services.
The commission, on Monday, launched its annual report for 2024-2025, revealing that it had averted losses amounting to Kes16.5 billion through timely intelligence interventions.
Convictions rose significantly from 12 to 33 during the period, indicating strengthened investigative efforts.
Mohamud painted a vivid picture of corruption's human cost on young Kenyans.
"When billions meant for hospitals are stolen, roads, bursaries, and university funding vanish in private pockets, it is not just money that is stolen, it is the jobs that you were supposed to get as young people," he noted.
He added that stolen funds meant classes were never built and loans never reached HELB accounts, destroying hope daily.
Mohamud described corruption as an immoral action by a few individuals robbing an entire generation of dignity, trust, and belief in a fair Kenya.
However, Mohamud struck an optimistic note, stating that the youth today in Kenya are not the problem, but the solution, and we want you to be part of the solution.
