Based on surveys of more than 2000 respondents, the KBI identifies and lists, among other factors, the alleged prevalence, incidence and cost of bribes relating to several institutions in Kenya.

The KBI 2007 shows that the police are again perceived as the most corrupt government institution in Kenya. The perception is that lawyers have become more corrupt, they advanced to the top 10, and ended up sixth on the scale. According to the findings, the overall trend in the country remains unchanged. Whereas the cost of the average bribe declined significantly, the average number of bribes paid doubled to result in a 50 percent increase in cost burden. As in 2005, about half of the survey’s respondents reported having encountered bribery in interactions with institutions, both public and private.

The Kenya Bribery Index 2007 received excellent media coverage in both the local and international press (see the International Herald Tribune, 21 August), and it is being used as one of the indicators in the Kenyan government’s Governance, Justice, Law and Order Sector Reform Program (GJLOS). GJLOS was launched by the government of Kenya to improve governance, justice, law and order, end corruption, slow and inept government services, and enhance professionalism in the civil service.