Civil society organisations and lobby groups have intensified pressure on the Kenyan government to release a long-awaited International Monetary Fund (IMF) report examining corruption, governance weaknesses and the management of public resources.
The organisations, led by Amnesty International Kenya and the Okoa Uchumi Campaign, want the government to publish the final Governance and Anti-Corruption Diagnostic Report, formally present it to Parliament and provide a clear timetable for implementing its recommendations.
The demand follows renewed concerns about corruption after the World Bank warned that governance weaknesses were limiting Kenya’s economic growth, increasing public borrowing requirements and affecting the country’s ability to create jobs.
In a joint statement, the organisations argued that Kenyans have a right to access the findings because the assessment was commissioned by the government, involved public consultations and examined issues affecting the management of taxpayers’ money.
“The Government must honour that demand. Release the report to citizens. Table it in Parliament and let Kenyans hold power to account,” the organisations stated.
The groups questioned why the final document, which the government reportedly received several months ago, had not been made public despite indications from the National Treasury that it would eventually be released.
When Did the Government Receive the IMF Corruption Report?
According to the civil society organisations, Kenya requested the IMF to undertake the governance and anti-corruption assessment in September 2024.
The request followed the Gen Z-led protests, during which young Kenyans demanded greater accountability, an end to corruption and responsible management of public resources.
The assessment was intended to examine governance challenges, institutional weaknesses and corruption vulnerabilities affecting the country’s public administration and economic management.
The organisations said the IMF first submitted the report to the government in December 2025. It subsequently underwent a review process before the final version was delivered in June 2026.
However, several months after receiving the final document, the government had not announced a specific date for its public release.
The delay has prompted civil society groups to question whether the findings will be made available for public scrutiny and parliamentary debate.
They argue that the report should not remain confidential because its preparation involved public resources and consultations with stakeholders.
The organisations also maintain that the findings could help Kenyans understand the institutional weaknesses contributing to corruption and the misuse of public funds.
Why Amnesty International and Okoa Uchumi Want the Report Released
The organisations have made three major demands to the government.
First, they want the immediate publication of the final IMF Governance and Anti-Corruption Diagnostic Report so that members of the public can examine its findings.
Second, they want the document formally tabled before Parliament to allow legislators to debate the assessment and question the government about its recommendations.
Third, they are demanding a clear implementation roadmap containing specific timelines for addressing the governance weaknesses identified in the report.
The campaign argues that releasing the document without explaining how its recommendations will be implemented would not be sufficient.
It wants the government to demonstrate how the findings will translate into practical reforms, stronger oversight and improved management of public resources.
The joint statement was supported by approximately 50 civil society organisations and individuals, including Amnesty International Kenya, Transparency International Kenya, the Kenya Human Rights Commission and the Africa Centre for Open Governance.
The groups said the assessment was particularly important because it was commissioned in response to public demands for accountability during the 2024 protests.
They warned that keeping the findings away from citizens would undermine the principles of transparency and responsible public finance management.
World Bank Raises Fresh Concerns Over Corruption in Kenya
The renewed pressure on the government comes after the World Bank released its latest Kenya Economic Update, highlighting corruption and governance challenges as major obstacles to the country’s economic development.
The report, released in November 2026, warned that corruption and collusion were increasing the cost of public services, weakening government spending efficiency and creating additional pressure on public finances.
According to the World Bank, corruption and collusion affecting public expenditure and revenue collection account for costs equivalent to up to two percentage points of GDP in annual fiscal deficits.
The lender explained that the additional fiscal pressure contributes to higher borrowing requirements, making it harder for the government to finance essential services and development programmes.
The report also identified corruption as a significant challenge for businesses operating in Kenya.
It found that 39 per cent of firms identified corruption as a major constraint, while 48 per cent of medium-sized businesses reported that they needed to give gifts to get things done.
The World Bank warned that governance weaknesses also affect workers, particularly those in the informal economy who may face demands for bribes during interactions with public officials.
It said addressing governance challenges could unlock economic growth, improve investment conditions and support the creation of better-paying jobs.
The lender estimated that implementing ambitious governance reforms could lift Kenya’s GDP by up to 20 per cent by 2035.
These findings have strengthened calls for the government to make the IMF assessment public so that citizens can examine the specific governance challenges it identifies.
Parliament Seeks Answers Over the Missing Report
The controversy has also reached Parliament, where Tetu Member of Parliament Geoffrey Wandeto sought an explanation from the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning over the status of the IMF assessment.
The parliamentary question was raised as legislators sought clarity on why the government had not released the final report despite having received it.
According to the civil society organisations, Parliament expects a response within two weeks.
However, they said the Executive had not provided a definite timeline for publishing the document.
The groups want Parliament to ensure that the government provides a clear explanation rather than allowing the matter to remain unresolved.
They argue that lawmakers have an important oversight responsibility in ensuring that public institutions account for how public resources are managed.
The report’s publication could also provide legislators with a basis for questioning government officials about the corruption risks and institutional failures identified in the assessment.
Treasury PS Chris Kiptoo Says Government Will Publish the Report
National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo has indicated that the government intends to make the IMF diagnostic report public.
His remarks came during the launch of the World Bank’s latest Kenya Economic Update, where governance and corruption were among the key issues discussed.
However, the indication that the report would be published did not come with a specific release date.
This has left civil society organisations seeking a firm commitment from the government.
The groups argue that a general assurance is not enough, given that the final report was reportedly received in June 2026.
They want the Treasury to clarify when the document will be released, how Parliament will be involved and which government institutions will be responsible for implementing its recommendations.
The IMF’s publication arrangements are also relevant. The Fund had previously indicated that publication of the governance assessment depended on Kenya’s consent, meaning the government has an important role in deciding whether the document is made public.
IMF Report Comes as Kenya Seeks a New Funding Arrangement
The demand for transparency comes at a time when Kenya is yet to secure a new financing programme with the IMF following the end of its previous arrangement.
The country’s previous IMF-supported programme was valued at approximately US$3.6 billion and ended in April 2025.
Discussions about a possible new programme have continued amid concerns about fiscal management, public debt, governance and the implementation of economic reforms.
A new IMF arrangement could provide financial support and a framework for economic policy reforms, but negotiations require agreement on the programme’s conditions and priorities.
The IMF governance assessment is therefore significant because it examines institutional and corruption-related weaknesses that can affect public finances and the effectiveness of government spending.
However, the report’s delayed publication should not be treated as proof that it is the sole reason Kenya has not secured a new financing programme.
The wider discussions involve several economic and policy considerations, including debt sustainability, revenue collection, expenditure controls and governance reforms.
Making the report public could help clarify the governance issues identified by the assessment and provide a basis for a more informed national debate about the reforms needed.
What the IMF Corruption Report Could Mean for Ordinary Kenyans
The publication of the report could have implications beyond discussions between the government and international lenders.
Corruption and weak governance can affect the everyday lives of citizens through inflated public procurement costs, delayed development projects, poor service delivery and the loss of resources intended for public programmes.
When public money is mismanaged, fewer resources may be available for hospitals, schools, roads, water projects and other essential services.
The World Bank’s latest findings also suggest that governance challenges can increase the cost of doing business and discourage investment, affecting employment opportunities and household incomes.
For ordinary Kenyans, therefore, the importance of the IMF assessment lies not only in its findings but also in whether the government acts on its recommendations.
The civil society organisations want the publication to mark the beginning of a wider accountability process involving Parliament, government agencies, independent institutions and members of the public.
They maintain that Kenyans should be able to examine the findings, understand the identified weaknesses and monitor the government’s response.
Government Faces Growing Pressure to Release the Findings
The demand for the IMF report has placed renewed attention on the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
With the final assessment reportedly in the government’s possession since June 2026, civil society organisations are seeking a clear explanation for the delay and a firm publication timetable.
The organisations want the report made available to the public, tabled in Parliament and accompanied by a time-bound plan for implementing its recommendations.
As concerns over public debt, corruption and the cost of living continue to dominate national debate, the release of the assessment could provide important information about the governance reforms required to improve public resource management.
For now, Kenyans are waiting for the government to move beyond its assurance that the report will be published and provide a clear date for its release.
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