By Dorothy Musyoka
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested two suspects in an operation aimed at dismantling a growing extortion racket targeting senior government officials.
The suspects, identified as Francis Onyango and Abigail Janai, were arrested on Friday at a Nairobi restaurant after corruptly receiving Ksh 1.7 million of the Ksh 2 million they had demanded from a Director General of a State Corporation.
The suspects allegedly threatened the official with a court petition accusing them of embezzling public funds at the corporation, promising to withdraw the case upon payment of the bribe.
However, the EACC responded swiftly to the complaint, mounting an operation that led to their arrest.
“EACC arrested two suspects, namely Francis Onyango and Abigail Janai, who attempted to extort Kes2 million from the Director General of a State Corporation in order to withdraw a petition filed in court for alleged embezzlement of public funds at the State Corporation,” the EACC explained.
“Following receipt of the complaint, the Commission mounted an operation on Friday leading to the arrest of the two suspects at a Nairobi Restaurant after corruptly receiving Kes1.7 million being part of the Kes2 million they had demanded,” added the EACC.
According to the commission, the individuals file petitions against government officials, purportedly in the public interest, only to extort large sums of money to withdraw the cases.
“The two are believed to be part of a growing number of litigious individuals in the country posing as public-spirited citizens and passionate advocates for good governance who file petitions against Government officials in Court and then seek huge bribes in order to withdraw the cases,” stated the EACC.
The suspects were processed at the EACC Integrity Centre Police Station and later booked at Kilimani Police Station, and later were released on police bail as awaiting further legal action.
EACC has reiterated its commitment to upholding integrity and combating corruption in the country,