By Diana Wenwa
Corporal John Mwai Mbili, a police officer attached to the Parliament Police Station, is facing corruption charges for allegedly attempting to extort Ksh 40,000 from a suspect with an outstanding matter at the station.
The case began when the complainant was arrested by the police. However, when the case file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for approval, the DPP directed that the complainant be released and the matter settled out of court.
Despite this directive, Corporal Mbili allegedly told the complainant that he needed to pay “something small” to “facilitate a smooth closure” of the matter.
Corporal Mbili then demanded a bribe of Ksh 40,000 from the complainant, threatening that if the complainant failed to pay, he would charge him in court with new offences.
This coercion prompted the complainant to report the matter to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
The EACC launched an investigation into the allegations. Following their inquiry, EACC officials arrested Corporal Mbili.
He was taken to the Integrity Centre Police Station for processing and was subsequently booked at Kilimani Police Station. Corporal Mbili has since been released on bail pending the conclusion of the remaining aspects of the investigation.
This incident highlights the critical role of the EACC in addressing corruption within the police force and reinforces the importance of integrity among law enforcement officers.
The arrest of Corporal Mbili serves as a warning to others who might engage in similar corrupt practices, demonstrating that no one is above the law.
The public is closely watching the progress of this case, which serves as a litmus test for the country’s commitment to rooting out corruption and upholding justice within its institutions. The outcome of this investigation will likely have significant implications for the trust and credibility of the police force in Kenya.