Officer demanded and received bribe, court told

A policewoman demanded Sh6,000 to hire a vehicle to enable her to carry out investigations after a man complained of receiving threatening and abusive messages from his son, a Kakamega court was told on Monday.

A witness, whose identity was not disclosed as he is under the Witness Protection Agency, told Chief Magistrate Bildad Ochieng' that the officer warned him against pursuing the matter when he reported the misconduct to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

He was testifying in a matter in which Corporal Hellen Atieno, who was based at Kabras Police Post, was arrested with the money she allegedly solicited as a benefit to investigate the matter.

The witness told the court he arrived at the police post on June 3, 2016, to report the phone threats, but the officer told him she did not have a vehicle.

Toyota Probox

"I was meant to look for transport, which the officer suggested to be a (Toyota) Probox. I was to look for money to hire and fuel the vehicle to go to Busia to arrest my son, who was threatening me through messages," he said.

Ms Atieno, he said, declined alternative but cheaper means of transport.

"I told her I couldn't raise the amount and asked whether we could get a cheaper way but she insisted that Busia was a long distance from Kakamega and the charges were fair," he added.

The officer faces three counts of illegally soliciting and receiving a bribe to perform her official duties. Atieno is alleged to have solicited for Sh6,000 on June 3 and 17, 2016.

The witness said the accused threw away the handbag bearing the bribe when she was arrested and taken to Kakamega Police Station, to hide the fact that she had received the money. [Jack Murima]