The relationship between corruption, democracy, and economic growth is complex and
multifaceted across empirical studies. Understanding this relationship is crucial for policymakers,
researchers, and scholars alike as they seek to promote stable democracies and sustained economic
development in middle-income countries. Kenya has long grappled with issues of corruption and
challenges to its democratic processes. These problems have significant implications for
governance, economic growth, political stability, religion, and social cohesion. This study
investigates the effects of democracy and corruption control on Kenya's economic growth from
1990 to 2020. Utilizing the generalized method of moments (GMM) model for regression
econometric analysis, the findings indicate that both democracy and control of corruption exert a
positive and significant influence on economic growth in Kenya. The results of the democracy
model support a positive correlation between democratic governance and economic development,
while the corruption model aligns with the “sand in the wheels” hypothesis, suggesting that
corruption may hinder economic growth in Kenya. Consequently, advancing democracy,
streamlining bureaucratic processes, and implementing anti-corruption measures are crucial for
achieving sustainable economic growth in Kenya. Ultimately, promoting good governance and
transparency is essential for sustainable economic development, as strong democratic institutions
can help mitigate corruption and enhance economic growth potential.
Mose, N. (2025). Corruption, democracy, and economic growth in Kenya. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/index.php/works/corruption-democracy-and-economic-growth-in-kenya
Mose, Naftaly "Corruption, democracy, and economic growth in Kenya" Afribary. Afribary, 20 Jul. 2025, https://afribary.com/index.php/works/corruption-democracy-and-economic-growth-in-kenya. Accessed 26 Sep. 2025.
Mose, Naftaly . "Corruption, democracy, and economic growth in Kenya". Afribary, Afribary, 20 Jul. 2025. Web. 26 Sep. 2025. < https://afribary.com/index.php/works/corruption-democracy-and-economic-growth-in-kenya >.
Mose, Naftaly . "Corruption, democracy, and economic growth in Kenya" Afribary (2025). Accessed September 26, 2025. https://afribary.com/index.php/works/corruption-democracy-and-economic-growth-in-kenya