The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested two police officers attached to the Kenya Power Coast Regional Office over allegations of demanding a Ksh100,000 bribe from a complainant.
In a statement on Tuesday, August 25, the agency said the suspects, Inspector Benjamin Ochieng and Corporal Said Bakari, are alleged to have demanded the bribe from a complainant after accusing him of illegally connecting electricity at his residence in Bombolulu.
"The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested two police officers attached to the Kenya Power, Coast Regional Office over allegations of demanding a Ksh100,000 bribe from a complainant," the statement read.
According to EACC, the officers allegedly sought the money from the complainant as a condition for dropping investigations into the alleged illegal electricity connection and avoiding legal action against him.
"The officers allegedly demanded the bribe in exchange for refraining from investigating the complainant and taking legal action against him," the statement added.
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Following a report on the alleged bribery demand, EACC commenced investigations to verify the claims.
On August 24, the commission mounted an operation during which the two officers allegedly escorted the complainant to a bank along Moi Avenue to collect the bribe money.
"The officers were subsequently arrested opposite DTB Bank after receiving Ksh50,000 bribe from the complainant," the statement further read.
The two suspects were subsequently booked at Central Police Station for processing.
They were later released on Ksh30,000 cash bail as EACC proceeds with further investigations into the allegations.
Elsewhere, EACC has arrested a Court Clerk attached to the Busia Law Courts over an alleged Ksh180,000 bribery scandal involving a criminal case pending before the court.
In a statement on Monday, August 24, the agency said the suspect, Wesley Kipkoech Langat, was arrested after allegedly demanding and receiving the money to influence the outcome of the case.
"The citizen is alleged to have acted on behalf of a Magistrate at the station by demanding the bribe from an accused person as an inducement to secure a lenient penalty in the case," the statement read.
EACC said investigations into the matter began after a report was made concerning the alleged demand for the bribe, which was reportedly intended to influence the outcome of a case involving several accused persons.
"The Commission commenced investigations following a report that the Magistrate, through the Court Clerk, had demanded the bribe to secure a lenient outcome for the complainant and six co-accused persons in a case involving a commercial vehicle that had been impounded by police officers over alleged traffic offences," the statement added.
EACC said its officers mounted an operation that resulted in Langat's arrest after he received the Ksh180,000.
"EACC today mounted an operation that led to the arrest of the suspect after receiving the Ksh180,000. He is currently being held at the Commission’s Western Regional Office in Bungoma for processing and is expected to be booked at Bungoma Police Station as investigations continue," the statement concluded.
