On September 17, 2024, Peter Odhiambo Agoro, Chairperson of the Consortium of Civil Societies in Kenya, was arrested by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on charges of attempting to extort Ksh 3 million from James Mwaura, the CEO of the Kenya International Conference Centre (KICC).
Agoro allegedly demanded the bribe as a “facilitation fee” to drop accusations of procurement malpractice against Mwaura.
According to the EACC, Agoro initially sought Ksh 3 million but later agreed to lower the amount to Ksh 2 million after negotiations.
The bribe was to be paid in two instalments.
However, Mwaura had already reported the matter to the EACC, which organized a sting operation to catch Agoro in the act.
On the day of the arrest, Agoro had received the first instalment of Ksh 1.5 million, along with USD 10,800, when he was apprehended.
Following his arrest, Agoro claimed that he was acting on behalf of Irungu Nyakera, a former Principal Secretary.
However, no concrete evidence has been provided to support this claim at the time of the arrest.
Agoro is currently being held at the Integrity Centre in Nairobi, where he is undergoing processing for extortion charges.
This case has raised major concerns about corruption and accountability, especially among individuals in civil society who are expected to advocate for transparency and ethical governance.
Agoro’s arrest highlights the EACC’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption across all sectors, including civil society, which has traditionally been viewed as a watchdog for government misdeeds.
There is growing interest in whether additional individuals might be involved in the case and what further legal actions will follow.
The EACC has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding justice and ensuring that extortion attempts are dealt with decisively.
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