The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has made another strike against graft in the public service. On this occasion, they have arrested two senior officials from Nyamache District over corruption allegations that have shocked many Kenyans.
Ms. Annrose Gakenia, who works as the District Accountant, and her deputy Mr. Josphat Ongori Motari, have been taken into custody.
The officers are facing serious charges related to bribery and corruption. According to the commission, the two officials were involved in demanding and receiving money in a way that was not lawful.
The trouble started when a complaint was filed with the EACC's South Nyanza office. The complainant was the Children's Officer for Etago Sub-County in Kisii County. This officer told investigators something that made their blood boil. He said that the District Accountant had asked him for money as a condition for signing an important cheque.
The cheque in question was meant for the Etago Sub-County Children's Office and it had a value of Kes46,000. Instead of simply doing her job and signing the document, Ms. Gakenia allegedly wanted to be paid first. This kind of behaviour is exactly what the EACC works hard to stop.
The commission did not waste time. They launched an investigation and put a plan in place to catch the officials red-handed.
Their efforts paid off when Ms. Gakenia was arrested at the very moment she was receiving Kes8,000 from the person who had complained. Mr. Motari was also arrested shortly after for his role in the scheme.
Both officials were taken through the normal police procedures before being taken to court. The good news is that they were not kept in police cells for a long time.
Each of them was released on bail, with each being required to pay Kes20,000. However, their troubles are far from over as the investigations into their actions continue.
The EACC has used this case to send a strong message to all public servants. The commission says it will never stop working to fight bribery and corruption in Kenya.
They are also urging ordinary Kenyans to come forward and report any corrupt practices they see or know about. The fight against corruption is everyone's responsibility, the commission reminds us.
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