Two police officers attached to Kenya Power’s Coast Regional Office are under investigation after they were arrested in a controlled operation over an alleged Sh100,000 bribe demand linked to claims of an illegal electricity connection in Bombolulu.
Inspector Benjamin Ochieng and Corporal Said Bakari were arrested after allegedly receiving Sh50,000 from a complainant whom they had accused of illegally connecting electricity to his residence.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) said the officers had allegedly demanded Sh100,000 from the complainant in return for dropping further investigations and avoiding possible legal action over the alleged illegal connection.
The case came to the attention of EACC after the complainant reported the alleged demand to the commission, prompting investigators to verify the claims and plan an operation to establish whether the officers would receive the money.
On August 24, EACC officers mounted the operation as part of efforts to verify the allegations against the two police officers.
According to the commission, the officers escorted the complainant to a bank along Moi Avenue where he was expected to collect the money they had allegedly demanded.
The officers were later arrested opposite DTB Bank after allegedly receiving Sh50,000 from the complainant. The amount was part of the Sh100,000 they are accused of demanding to avoid further investigation and possible legal action.
The two suspects were taken to Central Police Station, where they were booked for processing before being released on Sh30,000 cash bail as investigations continued.
The allegations against the officers stem from claims that the complainant had illegally connected electricity at his home in Bombolulu. EACC said the alleged illegal connection was used by the officers as the basis for demanding money from the complainant.
The commission said the ongoing investigations would establish the circumstances surrounding both the alleged demand and receipt of the money and determine whether the officers committed an offence.
EACC said the controlled operation was carried out after the complainant brought the alleged bribery demand to its attention, allowing investigators to monitor the transaction and arrest the suspects after the money was allegedly handed over.
The commission has not indicated whether the two officers have been charged in court. They remain under investigation, with further legal action depending on the findings of the probe.
EACC said the operation was part of its wider efforts to investigate allegations of bribery involving public officers and establish whether suspects have breached the law.
The commission also reiterated its commitment to fighting corruption and bribery and ensuring public officers maintain the required standards of integrity while carrying out their duties.
“EACC reiterates its commitment to combating bribery and corruption and ensuring that public officers uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability in the discharge of their duties,” the commission said.
The officers were released on cash bail as investigators continue examining the allegations, including the reported Sh100,000 demand and the circumstances surrounding the Sh50,000 allegedly received during the controlled operation.
EACC is expected to determine whether the evidence gathered is sufficient to support further legal proceedings against the two officers.