EACC Western Kenya Regional Manager Eric Ngumbi speaking in Kisumu./FAITH MATETE
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has cautioned members of the public against offering bribes in the upcoming National Police Service recruitment exercise scheduled for Monday, November 17, 2025.
EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi A. Mohamud warned that bribery during the recruitment process compromises merit and integrity within the police service, weakening the very foundation of public trust in law enforcement.
Speaking in Kisumu through EACC Western Kenya Regional Manager Eric Ngumbi during a capacity-building forum for senior officials of the Bungoma County Assembly, Mohamud said the Commission has previously received disturbing reports of parents selling land, organizing fundraisers, or using family savings to pay bribes for their children’s recruitment
“We have seen families resort to desperate measures, selling their land or raising funds just to bribe their way into the service. This culture of corruption erodes merit and breeds officers who lack both the competence and ethics required to serve,” he said.
He also warned Kenyans to beware of conmen posing as “facilitators” who promise easy access to recruitment slots for a fee. These fraudsters, he said, exploit desperation and end up extorting unsuspecting parents and job seekers.
Mohamud emphasized that bribery in recruitment not only disadvantages qualified candidates but also threatens public safety and justice. Individuals admitted to the service through corrupt means, he noted, often lack the discipline and integrity essential for policing duties
. “When officers join the service through bribery, they normalise shortcuts and later propagate corruption within the system, which erodes professionalism and public confidence,” he added.
Capacity-building forum for senior officials of the Bungoma County Assembly by EACC./FAITH MATETE
The commission also appealed to recruitment officers to uphold transparency and reject any form of inducement during the exercise. Mohamud stressed that those found soliciting or accepting bribes will face stern legal consequences.
“Recruitment officers must adhere strictly to established procedures. Any official who engages in corruption betrays the uniform they serve under and undermines the rule of law,” he said.
He further reminded the public that a police officer’s integrity begins at the point of recruitment, and dishonesty at this stage could have ripple effects throughout their career, ultimately harming the communities they are meant to protect.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to ensuring a fair and merit-based recruitment process that reflects the values of honesty, transparency, and accountability within the National Police Service.
“Let us make this year’s recruitment different. Parents, candidates, and officials must all play their part in ensuring that only those qualified, disciplined, and deserving are recruited. Kenya’s security depends on it,” Mohamud concluded.
