The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested four public officers in separate operations in Kwale and Bungoma counties over allegations of demanding and receiving bribes from members of the public.
In Kwale County, two security officers working for Kenya Power in Diani, Joseph Dena and Fredrick Odhiambo, were arrested after they were allegedly accused of demanding a Sh100,000 bribe from a complainant.
The officers are said to have accused the complainant of using electricity illegally and allegedly asked for the money in exchange for helping him avoid legal action.
Following the complaint, EACC officers from the Lower Coast Regional Office in Mombasa carried out an operation that led to the arrest of the two officers as they allegedly received Sh50,000.
They were taken to Mombasa Central Police Station where they recorded statements.
They were later released on a cash bail of Sh20,000 each as investigations continued.In Bungoma County, EACC arrested two county enforcement officers, Victoria Mala Nafula and Elizabeth Nafuna Lukhale, in Kimilili. The two are accused of demanding and receiving a bribe from a cyber café operator.
According to the allegations, the officers demanded money from the business owner to allow the cyber café to continue operating without a licence. They are also accused of threatening to close the business if the money was not paid.
After carrying out preliminary investigations, EACC officers conducted an operation and arrested the two suspects while they were allegedly receiving money from the complainant.
They 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.
The two officers were released the following morning on a cash bail of Sh20,000 each as investigations continued.
The arrests come as EACC continues its efforts to deal with bribery and other forms of corruption in public service areas where citizens interact directly with government officers.
Such cases can affect people who depend on public services and may also weaken trust in government institutions.
EACC has urged members of the public to report cases where public officers demand bribes or engage in other corrupt activities.
The commission has said that complaints will be handled according to the law.
The cases involving the four officers remain under investigation, and the allegations against them have not been proven in court.
Further action will depend on the outcome of the investigations and any legal proceedings that may follow.
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