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The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested the Head of Liquor Licensing in Githunguri Sub County, Kiambu for allegedly demanding bribe and issuing threats.
The Wednesday arrest followed investigations conducted into the allegations that she impounded goods belonging to a bar operator and demanded a bribe amounting to Sh40,000 to return the same.
The officer is also said to have threatened to revoke the operator’s license to stop her from operating the bar in case the demanded bribe was not given.
The suspect has since been released on Sh40,000 cash bail pending a court appearance.
In the case, EACC on Tuesday received a complaint that on June 28, Kiambu Enforcement Officers, including the suspect, went to the complainant’s business premises and found her employees stocking beverages and undertaking stock-taking for the day.
The officials then accused the complainant of opening and operating a bar before the stipulated time.
They then confiscated the keg liquor pump.
When the complainant followed up with the officials, the suspect demanded the aforementioned amount in order to absolve her of the alleged offence and return the pump.
On July 4, the complainant yet again made another follow-up on the matter, which is when the officer threatened to revoke her license and stop her from operating the bar unless she paid up.
The operator filed the complaint with the anti-graft body on 11 July, which then launched the probe.
Following the investigation, EACC mounted an operation leading to the arrest.
She was arrested while receiving the bribe money from the complainant.
She was then escorted to Integrity Centre Police Station where she was processed and later released on cash bail pending further action.
EACC has received similar complaints regarding the Liquor Licencing officials within Kiambu County. BY THE STAR