EACC Arrests Kericho Lands Official Over Ksh210,000 Bribe in Title Deed Scandal
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has apprehended a senior official from the Kericho County Lands office for allegedly soliciting and receiving a Ksh210,000 bribe. The official was arrested in a meticulously planned sting operation after a landowner reported being forced to pay the hefty sum to facilitate the processing and issuance of a title deed. The bribe was demanded as a condition for releasing the crucial document.
According to the EACC, the complainant sought the commission’s help after the official insisted on the payment to perform a mandatory public service. Anti-corruption officers provided the marked money used in the operation, leading to the suspect’s arrest immediately after he received the full amount. The title deed in question was also recovered from the official at the time of the arrest, serving as key evidence.
The suspect is currently in police custody and is expected to be arraigned in court to face corruption charges. The EACC has commended the public for their courage in reporting such incidents, emphasizing that collaboration is vital in the war against graft. This arrest spotlights the persistent corruption within land administration systems, where public officials exploit citizens desperate for essential services.