What the law says about bribes, including police bribes
Anti-Bribery Act · sources read 5 Oct 2026
Asking for, agreeing to take or taking a bribe is a crime, and so is offering or giving one. The penalty is up to 10 years in jail, a fine of up to KSh 5 million, or both, and there can be an extra fine of five times the benefit gained or loss caused.
- Deadline
- Anyone working in a public or private entity must report knowledge or suspicion of bribery to the EACC within 24 hours. Failing to report is an offence.
- Where
- EACC (Integrity Centre, Nairobi, and regional offices, or online); IPOA for police officers (toll free 1559)
Steps
- Report bribery to the EACC in writing, by phone, or in person at Integrity Centre in Nairobi or an EACC regional office.
- You can report anonymously through the Anonymous Whistleblower's System on the EACC website.
- If a police officer asked for the bribe, you can also complain to IPOA: toll free 1559 or complaints@ipoa.go.ke.
Watch out
- Offering, promising or giving a bribe is an offence too, even when it goes through a middleman.
- A whistleblower or witness in a bribery case must not be intimidated or harassed for giving information or testimony.
- A person convicted of bribery can be barred from holding a state or public office for up to 10 years.
Who this covers
- The law applies to everyone: members of the public, public officers (including police), public bodies and private companies.
Official sources (3)
- Anti-Bribery Act (Cap. 79B, No. 47 of 2016), version of 11 December 2023 new.kenyalaw.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- EACC: Report Corruption eacc.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026
- IPOA: Complaints ipoa.go.ke · read 3 Oct 2026