EACC arrests two for soliciting Sh370,000 bribe from foreigner

The suspects will be arraigned before Anti-Corruption Court next week.

In Summary
  • The commission said the complainant reported the matter to EACC which mounted an operation leading to their arrest.
  • Further, the two are reported to have defrauded a Norwegian National by soliciting Sh370,000 to allegedly assist him in securing a work permit
STAR ILLUSTRATION
STAR ILLUSTRATION

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested two suspects impersonating immigration officers at Nyayo House. 

The commission says the two were extorting money from persons seeking immigration services such as passports and work permits.

Further, the two are reported to have defrauded a Norwegian National by soliciting Sh370,000 to allegedly assist him in securing a work permit in Kenya and other documents within minutes. 

The commission said the complainant reported the matter to EACC which mounted an operation leading to their arrest.

The suspects will be arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court next week.

Additionally, the Commission is investigating allegations that some Immigration Officials at Nyayo House are working in collusion with brokers to issue documents. 

There are also impostors who are fraudulently issuing immigration documents in exchange for bribes.

"Individuals found culpable will be dealt with in accordance with the law," EACC said. 

"Reports on suspected corruption at public service delivery points may be made to EACC through [email protected] or Toll-Free No. 1551"

The arrest of the two comes a month after the Directorate of Criminal Investigation's Transnational Organised Crime detectives detained 15 suspects in connection with the passport issuance at Nyayo House. 

The detention came after Interior and National Administration CS Kithure Kindiki directed that investigations be conducted following public outcry.

It took place in six departments of immigration services where staff, an intern and nine suspected brokers were arrested.

Police said the manhunt for more suspects who got wind of the operation and ran into hiding continues.

"In the classic case of grand corruption, members of the public and foreigners seeking passports and work permits respectively have been forced to part with huge sums of money to access services, after the officials took advantage of temporary system downtime to satisfy their sheer greed for extras," police said.

Police explained that the suspects then went ahead to plant brokers around the facility, to entice and collect funds from desperate applicants with emergency cases.

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