Adverse Effects of Corruption in East Africa

Abstract

The thesis is aimed at investigating the adverse effects of corruption in East Africa. The study focused on three countries namely: Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania which formed the East Africa Community in 1999. The study used descriptive research design to examine the adverse effects of corruption in East Africa. A questionnaire structured with both open-ended and closed ended questions was the fundamental research instrument for data collection. A sample of 50 respondents representing Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania were selected to participate in the study. Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. The study established economic, social and political effects of corruption in East Africa. Economic effects of corruption included increased unemployment, higher taxation, unhealthy business environment, decrease in foreign investment and decreased household spending. The social effected were higher poverty levels, ethnicity, and emigration while political impacts of corruption were poor governance, impunity and stalled government projects.