EACC Arrests Kenya Power, Bungoma County Officials in Bribery Crackdown

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested four public officials in separate operations in Kwale and Bungoma counties over allegations of soliciting and receiving bribes from members of the public.

In a statement on Friday, September 4, the commission said the arrests targeted two Kenya Power security officers in Diani, Kwale County, and two Law Enforcement and Compliance officers from the Bungoma County Government in Kimilili, as the anti-graft agency intensifies its crackdown on bribery at public service delivery points.

"Those arrested include two security officers from Kenya Power in Diani, Kwale County, and two Law Enforcement and Compliance officers from the Bungoma County Government in Kimilili," the statement read.

In Kwale, EACC officers from the Lower Coast Regional Office in Mombasa arrested Kenya Power officials Joseph Dena and Fredrick Odhiambo after they allegedly solicited a Ksh100,000 bribe from a complainant.

"The officers are alleged to have accused the complainant of using electricity illegally and demanded the money in exchange for helping him secure his release and ensuring that he would not face legal action," the statement added.

EACC said the operation followed a complaint lodged with the Commission, leading to the arrest of the two suspects as they allegedly received part of the demanded bribe.

"Following receipt of the complaint, the Commission conducted an operation that led to the arrest of the suspects as they allegedly received Ksh50,000," the statement further read.

Dena and Odhiambo were taken to Mombasa Central Police Station to record statements before being released on a cash bail of Ksh20,000 each.

In Bungoma, the Commission arrested county government enforcement officers Victoria Mala Nafula and Elizabeth Nafuna Lukhale after they allegedly solicited and received a bribe from a cyber café operator in Kimilili Municipality.

"The officers are alleged to have demanded money from the business owner to allow her to continue operating her business without a licence. They are also alleged to have threatened to shut down the business if she failed to pay the bribe," the statement noted.

EACC said preliminary investigations preceded an operation that resulted in the arrest of the two officers as they allegedly received money from the complainant.

"Following preliminary investigations, EACC conducted an operation and arrested the officers as they allegedly received money from the complainant," the statement further read.

The suspects were taken to the EACC Western Regional Office in Bungoma to record statements before being transferred to Bungoma Police Station, where they spent the night.

They were released the following morning on a cash bail of Ksh20,000 each as investigations continue.

Elsewhere, religious leaders have been urged to reject illicit funds ahead of the 2027 General Election, with EACC warning that dirty money could influence voters and undermine efforts to promote integrity in public leadership. 

Speaking on Thursday, September 3, EACC Chairperson Dr. David Oginde said religious institutions and leaders have a responsibility to avoid legitimizing funds whose sources are questionable.

"Religious leaders have been urged to reject and refrain from legitimizing illicit funds ahead of the 2027 General Election, amid concerns that dirty money could distort voters’ choices and fuel corruption in government," EACC said in a statement.

Oginde warned that politicians who use proceeds of corruption, money laundering and unexplained wealth to finance their campaigns could later be compelled to reward those who bankroll their political activities through corrupt government deals.

"Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chairperson Dr. David Oginde warned that politicians who finance campaigns using proceeds of corruption, money laundering and unexplained wealth could later be pressured to reward their financiers through inflated tenders, manipulated procurement and other corrupt deals," EACC added.

Oginde stressed that accepting or benefiting from illicit resources undermines efforts to build a society founded on ethical leadership and integrity.

"There is no way we are going to build a society of integrity if we are beneficiaries of illicit resources," he stated.

Oginde further said election campaigns should focus on the quality of leadership, values and principles of candidates rather than the amount of money they are able to spend.

"He cautioned that illicit wealth gives wealthy candidates an unfair advantage and distorts voters’ ability to choose leaders based on merit," EACC further said.