EACC begins Phase II of the National Enterprise Survey on Corruption in Businesses
EACC Deputy Director, Research and Policy, Ms. Nancy Namenge: “The data will provide evidence-based insights that will inform policy development, institutional reforms, and private-sector initiatives aimed at promoting integrity, accountability, and a transparent business environment.”
11:08:2026: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has commenced Phase II of the National Enterprise Survey 2026, an exercise that seeks to establish how corruption and unethical practices affect businesses in Kenya.
The data collection exercise, running from August 11 to September 16, 2026, will target 8,050 enterprises, including small, medium and large businesses, in counties not covered during Phase I, which took place in February.
The survey is being undertaken by the EACC’s Research and Policy Department with support from the State Department for Investment and TradeMark Africa. It seeks to collect views and experiences from enterprises to identify areas where businesses are most likely to encounter corruption and the factors contributing to the vice.
Speaking during a pre-survey briefing in Nairobi yesterday, EACC Deputy Director, Research and Policy, Ms. Nancy Namenge, said corruption remains a major challenge to economic growth, investment and the creation of a favourable business environment despite ongoing Government efforts to address the problem.
Ms. Namenge, who delivered remarks on behalf of the Director, Preventive Services, Mr. Vincent Okongo, said the survey would generate evidence to inform policy, institutional reforms and private sector initiatives aimed at promoting integrity, accountability and transparency.
“The data will provide evidence-based insights that will inform policy, institutional reforms and private sector initiatives aimed at promoting integrity, accountability and a transparent business environment,” she said.
The survey will examine business processes prone to corruption, including licensing and permits, procurement and tendering, tax and customs administration, business dispute resolution and access to government services.
It will also establish the proportion of firms making unofficial payments to access public services, including tax inspections, government contracts, permits, and construction, import and operating licences. The study will further assess the effectiveness of existing anti-corruption measures and integrity systems from the perspective of enterprises.
A total of 31 research assistants, organised into eight teams, have been trained to collect data from enterprises in the targeted counties.
The findings are expected to provide evidence to strengthen anti-corruption measures, improve public service delivery, and promote a transparent and enabling business environment.
The survey comes against the backdrop of the significant contribution of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to Kenya’s economy. The 2016 KNBS MSME Baseline Survey estimated that the country had more than 7.4 million MSMEs employing over 14.4 million people.
By generating empirical evidence on the challenges that businesses face, the survey is expected to support targeted interventions that promote ethical business practices, investment and sustainable economic growth.
