Kenya's rule of law score falls as corruption concerns persist

Kenya's rule of law score falls as corruption concerns persist

The findings place Kenya among countries experiencing a decline in the rule of law, raising concerns over accountability, the independence of public institutions and the protection of fundamental freedoms.

Corruption remains Kenya’s top concern in the fight to uphold the rule of law, according to the 2025 World Justice Project Index, which ranks the country 137th globally for corruption.

The report also notes concerns about declining freedoms, weakened checks and balances, and growing political interference in justice systems.

The country is ranked 102nd out of 143 countries overall, with its rule of law score falling by less than one per cent compared with the previous year. Kenya also ranks 31st out of 34 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa in the absence of corruption category, while placing 128th globally in order and security.

The findings place Kenya among countries experiencing a decline in the rule of law, raising concerns over accountability, the independence of public institutions and the protection of fundamental freedoms.

“The integrity of checks and balances has been seriously weakened, including in Kenya,” reads the report.

The report also points to setbacks in freedoms that support public participation and allow citizens to hold the government accountable. These include freedom of opinion and expression, as well as freedom of assembly and association.

Latest Stories

• IPOA launches probe into arrest of journalist Francis Odee while covering protests on fuel prices
• Junior Starlets face USA in must-win World Cup clash
• Migrants paid up to Sh64.9 billion in smuggling fees on European sea routes
• Controller of Budget flags financial risks in County Retirement Scheme Bill

Kenya is among the countries that recorded declines in both indicators, reflecting challenges in protecting these freedoms.

However, the report notes that civic participation in Kenya remains stable, setting the country apart from many others assessed in the index.

The findings also highlight increasing political interference in justice systems as a global concern, with Kenya among the countries that recorded declines in measures assessing the independence and effectiveness of courts.

These measures examine whether courts can effectively limit executive power and whether civil and criminal justice systems operate free from improper government influence.

Despite the concerns raised in several areas, Kenya performed better in some categories assessed by the index. The country ranked 69th globally in open government, 82nd in civil justice and 87th in criminal justice.

Open government was Kenya’s strongest-performing category among the eight indicators assessed. It measures access to public information and the mechanisms available to hold governments accountable.

The index evaluates countries across eight areas: constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice and criminal justice.

Kenya’s results show mixed performance across these areas, with its overall ranking and low position in the absence of corruption category standing alongside stronger results in open government and the justice indicators.

The report also draws attention to the country’s performance in protecting fundamental freedoms, maintaining institutional independence and ensuring that courts can check executive power.