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The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested an Assistant Chief in Webuye West Sub County, Bungoma County for allegedly demanding a bribe.
The Assistant Chief, who is based at Sitikho Sub Location was apprehended for allegedly demanding a bribe as a condition for signing and processing land succession documents for a bereaved family.
After receiving the complaint, EACC launched an investigation and set up the bribe delivery, which led to the arrest as the suspect was receiving the amount.
He was then escorted to EACC Bungoma Office for processing and later presented before Bungoma Chief Magistrate’s Court to face the charges.
He is facing two counts of receiving a bribe Contrary to Section 6(1)(a) of the Bribery Act.
The officer was arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court but fell ill upon arrival at the Court premises.
The court deferred a plea taking to July 5, 2023, to allow the suspect to recuperate.
He was released on a cash bail of Sh20,000.
Confirming Thursday’s arrest, EACC Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications Eric Ngumbi revealed that they have continued to receive similar complaints.
These include national government administration officers demanding bribes to offer their mandated services.
He assured that EACC will continue investigating and arresting such individuals, adding that the fight against corruption will not spare anyone.
He hit out to the critics complaining that the Commission has been arresting ‘small fish’.
“There are no small fish or big fish in the fight against corruption. Corruption is bad for the country, whether small or grand,” he said.
This comes barely two weeks after the anti-graft body arrested the Assistant County Commissioner for Roysambu.
The officer allegedly demanded a bribe of Sh50,000 from a Mathare Slum resident so as to give him back construction materials which she had taken away after demolishing the complainant’s Mabati structure in Mathare.
She claimed that the structure was illegally constructed on a road reserve.
She was arrested on June 14, together with her agent whom she had allegedly instructed to receive the bribe on her behalf.
The two were released on police bond pending the conclusion of investigations, including recommendation of appropriate charges to the DPP on the matter.
The Commission has urged the public to be vigilant and restrain from succumbing to bribe demands from public officials.
They have been asked to instead file reports on such matters with the EACC through the toll-free number 1551.
EACC has also urged the Regional and County Commissioners to demand administrative accountability from the officers serving under them.
This is aimed at eradicating corruption at service delivery points at the grass roots. BY THE STAR