World Bank presses Kenya on corruption reforms

The World Bank urged Kenya on Thursday to carry out anti-corruption reforms required under its latest $750 billion lending package.

The bank approved the package on June 29 after it was stalled throughout 2025 because of delays over anti-corruption measures. Qimiao Fan, the World Bank's director for Kenya, said weak controls, corruption and poor procurement diverted money from schools, roads and health clinics.

Fan outlined four reforms sought by the bank: rules against conflicts of interest involving politicians, a new electronic procurement system for public works tenders, a single Treasury account that can be more easily monitored, and passage of a long-stalled Whistleblower Protection Bill.

The World Bank said Kenya's economy grew by 4.6%, but continued to face high debt and low formal-sector employment for its rapidly growing population. The bank also estimated that rising fuel and food prices caused by the Middle East War may have pushed another one million people below the poverty line.

Fan said the 2024 protests showed Kenyans wanted fair and transparent fiscal management. The demonstrations, triggered by tax rises, included hundreds of people storming parliament in June 2024.