Money lost through corruption [Shm]

A report by the Public Service Commission shows a sharp rise in money lost through corruption in Kenya during the 2024/25 financial year.

The country lost Sh2.45 billion through corruption-related cases, the highest figure recorded in the five-year period under review.

The amount lost in 2024/25 was significantly higher than the Sh643.6 million reported in 2023/24, Sh605.1 million in 2022/23, Sh1.216 billion in 2021/22 and Sh226.7 million in 2020/21.

Despite the huge losses, only about Sh1.77 million was recovered during the period, highlighting the challenge of tracing and reclaiming public funds lost through fraudulent activities.

The data points to a growing gap between funds lost and funds recovered, raising concerns over the effectiveness of anti-corruption interventions.

Analysts say the trend underscores the need for stronger oversight, faster investigations and improved asset recovery mechanisms.

The PSC figures also suggest that corruption remains a major drain on public resources, with billions of shillings that could have supported development projects instead lost to irregular activities.