Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) arrested two suspects over graft case in the ongoing Kenya Defense Forces (KDF)recruitment after a complainant lost thousands in a bribery incident.
In a statement on 30 August, the EACC disclosed that an unidentified man lost Ksh. 250,00 to two men who had promised him a sure recruitment after payment of the amount.
The two men from Kilifi involved in the corruption were arrested on Tuesday 29 Augusts.
“EACC on Tuesday arrested two civilians namely Salim Mohamed Shekue and Fredrick Hamisi Baya, who had solicited and received Kes. 250,000 from the complainant as an inducement to facilitate his recruitment and admission to the Kenya Defense (KDF) during the ongoing recruitment,” the statement read.
Furthermore, EACC revealed that the complainant had taken a loan from a bank to facilitate the bribe that would see him get recruited to the KDF.
“The complainant reportedly took a bank loan of Kes. 250,000 to pay the demanded bribe after the suspects told him that they had ‘deep connections’ in the Kenya Defense Forces through which they could secure him a chance,” EACC shared.
The EACC further affirmed to closely monitor the recruitment process to prevent repeat of such incidences.
Consequently, the Commission has urged members of the public to desist from such corrupt practices and report any suspected incidents to EACC through Toll-Free No. 1551.
The suspects were apprehended at Magarini in Kilifi County and escorted to EACC Malindi Regional Offices where they were processed.
They have since been booked at Malindi Police Station where they are currently detained pending further enforcement action.
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KDF Recruitment Process
The exercise that began on Monday 28 August, has seen hundreds of youths turn out for the positions of Defense Forces Constables, Recruits, and Officer Cadets.
It is currently conducted simultaneously across the country and will end on 8 September.
“Members of the public are advised against engaging in fraud,” said Lieutenant General Jonah Mwangi, the Vice Chief of Defense Forces, who presided over the launch of the exercise at the Defense Headquarters in Nairobi.
Moreover, the Lieutenant General warned of stern action of anyone caught in corruption activities during the recruitment.
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“In this regard, anyone purporting to have influence to recruit a potential candidate outside the designated recruitment centers or mechanisms stated in this briefing must be avoided,” he warned.
The Gerneral also acknowledged that Kenyans have lost millions to in bribes to agents and fraudsters in previous recruitment exercises.
“We request wananchi in exercise of their actual mandate to volunteer information of any suspicious activities by reporting to the recruiting teams on the ground or in the alternative call on our mobile phone numbers” Mwangi said.
