Civil Servant Arrested for Charging Ksh13K to Offer Free Govt Services

Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have arrested a chief for extorting money from refugees seeking service from his office.

In a statement, the Commission said the Chief for Bulla Mzuri Location in Garissa County, Abdirahman Shafe Yussuf faces charges for alleged extortion of money and was caught by officers from the Commission.

“The suspect was caught in the act during an operation mounted by EACC Garissa Regional Office on Thursday following an inquiry into numerous complaints from victims,” the statement read in part.

The Commission explained that Yussuf has reportedly become notorious for bribe demands in an ongoing de-registration of fingerprints from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) system.

EACC reported that the chief was charged a consultation fee and another facilitation fee to serve refugees seeking deregistration of fingerprints.

“Before permitting the process, he allegedly requires every service seeker to pay him Ksh3000 as “consultation fee” and a further Ksh10,000 in “facilitation fee” despite the service being free of charge,” EACC said.

Besides, the Commission said all service seekers were required to first pay the illegal charges as a mandatory condition for one to be processed for the service.

According to the Commission, the victims paid the money to the chief’s accomplice operating from Motor Vehicle Registration Number KCY 656W (White Probox) parked outside the Vetting Hall.

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EACC Recovers Money and List of Victims

The detectives recovered from the Chief Ksh139,000 believed to be part of the day’s collection during the operation.

Additionally, the officers found a list of 85 double registered applicants indicating the amount paid by each.

The suspect was processed at EACC Garissa Regional Office and freed on police bond pending finalization of the probe.

“The Commission condemns such despicable actions by public officers who take advantage of vulnerable service seekers to extort money from them in breach of public trust,” the Commission said.

Notice to the Public

The Commission encouraged service seekers and other persons visiting service delivery points to continue exposing public officials demanding bribes in order to provide the services they are employed to deliver.

For inquiries, the public can reach the Commission through Toll Free No. 1551 or email address report@integrity.go.ke.

Also Read: Blow for Corrupt Leaders as EACC Recommends New Changes to Anti-corruption Act

Kibera Slum Chief Arrested

This comes a week after the Commission arrested Anthony Irungu Kabugi, the Assistant Chief for Kibera Laini Saba Location and his village elder Isaya Irekwa Simani.

The two demanded a bribe of Ksh50,000 from a Pastor at Pentecostal Assemblies of God Church in Laini Saba, so as not to demolish the church which they declared to be constructed on riparian land.

In threatening to demolish the church, the officials purported that it was part of ongoing government initiatives to address the current floods disaster.

The two were processed at EACC Integrity Centre Police Station and released on bail pending further enforcement action.

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