Kakamega chief arrested for demanding bribe from bereaved family

Patrick Oyaloh, Senior Chief of Marama Central Location. [Juliet Omelo] The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested a senior chief in Kakamega County for allegedly demanding a bribe of Sh10,000 from a bereaved family in exchange for facilitating the processing of an introduction letter required in a succession case. The suspect, Patrick Oyaloh, who serves as the Senior Chief of Marama Central Location, was apprehended on Tuesday after receiving a Sh8,000 down payment of the bribe from the family. The money was allegedly solicited to secure a letter introducing the family to relevant authorities as they sought to process inheritance documents following the death of their father. Oyaloh was arrested during an operation conducted by detectives from the EACC's Western Regional Office. He was later processed at the EACC offices in Bungoma and booked at Bungoma Central Police Station, pending further investigation and arraignment. The arrest coincided with the release of the EACC's 2024 National Ethics and Corruption Survey, which ranked chiefs among the most corrupt public officials under the Ministry of Interior and National Administration. According to the report, 16.2% of corruption cases in the ministry involve chiefs. Police officers topped the list at 27.6%, followed by Kenya Revenue Authority officers (17.3%), county inspectorate officers (14.6%), and lawyers (14.1%). Other public officials cited include county revenue officers (13.4%), land surveyors (13.3%), architects (9.1%), doctors and nurses (9.0%), bankers (8.5%), accountants and auditors (8.4%), engineers (7.1%), economists (6.9%), teachers (6.5%), and university lecturers (6.0%). Kakamega-based human rights activist Abdala Lupesi lauded the EACC for its swift action, claiming the chief had long been accused by residents of corruption and abuse of office. "I fully support the move by EACC to arrest the Marama Central Chief. The case of him demanding Sh10,000 from a grieving family is just one of many complaints that have been reported against him," Lupesi said. He urged the EACC to take firm action against the chief, arguing that such arrests would serve as a deterrent to other public officials who misuse their positions for personal gain. "Even the latest EACC report shows the Ministry of Interior, where chiefs fall under, is leading in corruption. Chiefs are extorting money from residents left, right, and center under the guise of offering government services," he added. Lupesi also highlighted the emotional toll on the bereaved family, criticising the chief for taking advantage of their vulnerability. "This family was mourning their father, and the chief still found it appropriate to exploit them financially. It's inhumane," he said. He further expressed concern about growing misconduct among chiefs in Kakamega County, citing rising cases of harassment and abuse of office. "In fact, there was a recent case in my area where a chief assaulted a widow. He was charged in court and fined Sh40,000 or face a three-month jail term," Lupesi revealed. He also raised alarm over increasing cases of gender-based violence (GBV) involving chiefs, calling on investigative agencies to broaden their focus. "Beyond corruption, some chiefs are now being linked to GBV. We urge all enforcement agencies to continue weeding out such rogue officers who tarnish the image of public service," he said.

Kakamega chief arrested for demanding bribe from bereaved family

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Related Topics

Similar Articles

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

Similar Articles

Sh8tr treasure: Inside US-China scramble for Mrima Hill

Kenya must rethink withholding tax on creative services

Spotlight on Gulf Energy's dominance of energy sector

How Treasury is edging out 'mama mboga' for banks

DIGGER JOBS

Digger Motors

Digger Real Estate

Kakamega chief arrested for demanding bribe from bereaved family

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Related Topics

Similar Articles

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS