Editor's Review
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested two suspects accused of demanding and receiving money from a person whose matter is under investigation by the Commission.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested two suspects accused of demanding and receiving money from a person whose matter is under investigation by the Commission.
In a statement on Thursday, September 24, EACC said the suspects, Hellen Hashiali Masinde and Violet Ndakwa, allegedly claimed they had connections within the anti-corruption agency that could help terminate the investigation.
"The suspects, Hellen Hashiali Masinde and Violet Ndakwa, both residents of Kakamega County, allegedly claimed to have ‘networks’ within the Commission through which they could influence the termination of the investigation," the statement read.
According to EACC, the suspects demanded Ksh100,000 from the person under investigation and were arrested after allegedly receiving Ksh30,000.
The Commission said the two suspects were believed to be part of a wider group operating in the Western Region and targeting members of the public by falsely claiming they could influence EACC investigations.
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"The two are believed to be part of a group of fraudsters operating in the Western Region who either impersonate EACC officers or falsely claim to have the ability to influence matters under investigation by the Commission," the statement added.
Following their arrest, the suspects were processed at the EACC Western Regional Office before being booked at Bungoma Central Police Station as investigations continued.
The Commission warned members of the public against individuals who falsely claim to have connections within EACC or the ability to influence investigations in exchange for money.
"EACC cautions members of the public against imposters and persons claiming they can influence investigations in exchange for money, and urges them to promptly report such approaches to the Commission," the statement concluded.
Elsewhere, EACC has obtained a court order requiring a former Homa Bay County Government employee to refund Ksh708,664 after investigations established that she received additional salary payments over a period of more than three years.
In a judgment delivered on September 18, the High Court ordered Evelyne Adhiambo Ogweno, a former medical social worker at Ndiru Hospital Centre in Rangwe Sub-County, and former County Payroll Officer Maurice Ochieng Wambo to jointly and severally refund the money to the Government of Kenya.
In a statement on Wednesday, September 23, EACC said the case followed investigations into multiple salary payments involving current and former employees of the Homa Bay County Government.
"The recovery follows investigations into the payment of multiple salaries to current and former employees of Homa Bay County Government," the statement read.
The inquiry established that Ogweno, who previously worked in the County Department of Health Services, received additional salary payments between February 2015 and May 2018.
During the period, she received Ksh708,664 over and above her regular salary.
EACC subsequently filed a recovery suit against Ogweno and three former county payroll officials, seeking to recover the additional funds paid through the county payroll system.
"The recovery is part of a series of cases filed by the Commission following investigations into the alleged loss of Ksh42,249,988 through the Homa Bay County Government payroll system," the statement added.
