Editor's Review

EACC has arrested a KRA official over allegations of soliciting and receiving a bribe to facilitate the irregular clearance of tax arrears and issuance of a Tax Compliance Certificate.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested a Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) official over allegations of soliciting and receiving a bribe to facilitate the irregular clearance of tax arrears and issuance of a Tax Compliance Certificate.

In a statement on Tuesday, September 15, the suspect, identified as Hughes Obilo, is an officer attached to the Debt Refunds Department in Kisumu. 

He is alleged to have demanded Ksh100,000 from a construction company in exchange for clearing tax arrears amounting to Ksh4.5 million from the iTax system.

EACC said the alleged bribe was intended to facilitate the company's clearance of the outstanding tax liability and enable it to obtain a Tax Compliance Certificate.

The commission said preliminary investigations were conducted before its officers mounted an operation targeting the KRA official.

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The operation led to Obilo's arrest while he was allegedly receiving part of the money demanded from the construction company.

"The suspect, Hughes Obilo, an officer attached to the Debt Refunds Department in Kisumu, allegedly demanded Ksh100,000 from a construction company to clear outstanding tax arrears amounting to Ksh4.5 million from the iTax system," the statement read.

File image of the suspect

EACC said the suspect was arrested after receiving Ksh30,000 as part of the alleged bribe. 

The anti-corruption agency said the arrest took place in Kisumu on September 14, 2026, after the operation was successfully executed.

"The suspect was arrested in Kisumu on 14th September 2026 and booked at Kisumu Central Police Station for processing and statement recording," the statement added.

The suspect is expected to undergo further processing as EACC continues its investigations into the alleged bribery scheme.

This comes days after EACC arrested a surveyor based in Narok County over allegations of soliciting and receiving a bribe.

In a statement on Friday, September 11, the agency said the suspect, Joan Achieng Odumbe, is accused of demanding money from a complainant in exchange for facilitating the identification of beacons between two parcels of land in Nairagie Enkare Sub-County, Narok County.

"The suspect, Joan Achieng Odumbe, is alleged to have demanded Ksh100,000 from a complainant to facilitate the identification of beacons between two parcels of land at Nairagie Enkare Sub-County, Narok County," the statement read.

EACC said it launched preliminary investigations after receiving the complaint, leading to an operation at the Narok County offices.

"Following preliminary investigations, the Commission mounted an operation that led to the arrest of the suspect at the Narok County offices while receiving Ksh50,000," the statement added.

EACC said Odumbe was subsequently escorted to its South Rift Regional Office in Nakuru for processing and statement recording.