Corruption rooted out of police service, public to blame - Nkaissery

Only 4 per cent police and immigration officers are corrupt, Joseph Nkaissery has said, noting the government has rooted the vice out of these departments.

The Interior CS said only a few individuals are remaining and accused the public of compromising officers by offering bribes.

"We have significantly rooted out corruption from the centres in Nairobi and Mombasa, that operate on 24-hour basis," he said.

But a survey by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission found his ministry to be the most corrupt , with a perception rating of 48 per cent.

The report stated that government agencies and departments most prone to corruption include the Kenya Police service (31.9 per cent) and traffic police (18.7 per cent).

Nkaissery acknowledged that the perception of corruption within the National Police Service remains high.

"Between April 2015 to date a total of 143 officers have been processed under the NPS disciplinary code and are facing court action for the vice," he noted.

Nkaissery said Kenya has become a regional powerhouse in countering terrorism.

"This is a realisation that technology aids security operations and is a response to emerging threats," he said.

"Surveillance systems have enabled police take fast measures in countering crime; citizens have greater hope. The ministry of internal security has achieved great strides in the last three years."

The EACC survey released on March 15 gave the Health ministry a corruption perception rating of 14.3 per cent, Lands 11.3 per cent and Education 9.9 per cent.

Transport had 6.1 per cent, Devolution 5.1 per cent, Defence 3.5 per cent and Agriculture 2.4 per cent.

Chiefs' offices were placed at 6.2 per cent, judiciary 4.8 per cent, public hospitals 4.1 percent and the registrar of persons department at 2.4 per cent.

Administrative police and the County Development Fund tied at 2.4 percent, registrar of lands at 1.1 per cent and public service commission at 2.8 per cent