EACC officers arrest Kakamega civil registration officers in bribery bust

Integrity Centre in Nairobi, the headquarters of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. [File, Standard]

Two civil registration officials stationed at the Kakamega Huduma Centre were on Tuesday, April 15, arrested by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for allegedly soliciting and receiving bribes from members of the public seeking civil registration services.

The suspects, identified as Boniface Mukaisi Mutsunga, a civil registrar, and Amos Kiplangat Yegon, a civil registration officer, are accused of demanding bribes to fast-track the issuance of birth certificates and other vital documents.

According to the EACC, the duo had just received a bribe of Sh2,500 from an applicant in exchange for quicker processing of a birth certificate when they were apprehended.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) said the bribes paid were reportedly funnelled through a privately operated M-Pesa payment Till Number, pointing to a coordinated bribery syndicate.

In a statement, the Commission condemned the misuse of public office, emphasizing that corruption in service delivery points erodes public trust and denies citizens timely access to essential government services.

"EAC reiterates its commitment to holding public officers accountable and ensuring that all Kenyans receive equitable and transparent service delivery," the statement read in part.

The two were taken to Bungoma Police Station and are expected to undergo further interrogation and processing at the EACC's Western Regional offices in Bungoma.