Two held over cash-for-ID cards scam

By Renson Mnyamwezi

Police have arrested two civil servants in Mwatate District for allegedly defrauding residents of their money in return for Government service, which are supposed to be free.

CID officers raided the Mwatate Civil Registration offices and picked up the suspects, causing panic and apprehension among other workers.

The clerical officers from the Ministry of Immigration and

Registration of Persons were remanded at Voi Police Station as investigation continued.

The arrest brings to four the number of civil servants arrested in

the region over corruption claims. Two senior Government officials were charged in court for allegedly stealing Sh910,000 from the Mwatate Constituency Development Fund. On Monday, the police and several residents said the suspects have been collecting between Sh50 and Sh100 from desperate youths seeking identity cards. Taita-Taveta OCPD Herbert Khaemba said the suspects were being interrogated.

“The suspects have been demanding money from applicants to get

passport-size photos, which are supposed to be taken free of charge by the

Government,” said Mr Khaemba.

He said youth seeking ID cards were persistently harassed by the suspects, who will be charged court next week.

“We are interrogating the suspects to get more information on the corruption ring,” he said.