Two government officials were arrested by officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over claims of overpaying casual workers and later demanding a refund of the money in cash.
The two officials named Elphas Tembu Wesonga (a conservator) and Ibrahim Aden Hussein (an accountant) were arrested in an operation mounted by EACC officers based in Garissa.
“The Commission has arrested two (2) Kenya Forest Service (KFS) officers in Garissa for hatching and executing a fraudulent scheme where they overpay casual employees engaged by the institution and later demand surrender of the overpaid money from the casuals,” part of a statement by EACC read.
From the operation, EACC retrieved Ksh 73,000 which was part of the day’s collection from the casual employees.
EACC explains reason for the arrests
The two are employees of KFS based in Garissa. After depositing money in the casuals’ bank accounts disguised as legitimate payments, the officials would order the workers to withdraw and hand over to them before sharing it among seniors.
Also Read: Govt Official Impersonator Arrested Demanding Ksh100K to Get Woman Cleaner’s Job
Following their arrest, the two were processed at EACC North Eastern regional offices in Garissa and later booked at Garissa Police Station pending further processing.
Earlier the commission had arrested a suspected fraudster for impersonating a Nairobi County official to extort money from a Kenyan.
A government official impersonator arrested
In a statement on Wednesday, September 25, the authority revealed that the suspect identified as William Otieno Okoth had been posing as the personal assistant to the County Secretary of Nairobi City County.
The anti-graft agency further stated that Otieno had demanded a Ksh100,000 bribe in exchange that he would offer the woman a cleaner job.
The suspect deceived the complainant into believing that, as the “PA to the CS,” he had significant influence in County affairs.
Also Read: EACC Responds After Didmus Barasa Vows Not to Honor Summons
According to EACC, William Otieno promised that he would promptly facilitate issuance of an employment letter after the complainant buys him “tea” at Ksh100,000.
The complainant later reported the matter to EACC which mounted an operation leading to the arrest of the suspect outside Tratoria Restaurant within the Central Business District after receiving the demanded bribe.
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