Two suspects have been arrested for allegedly attempting to extort Ksh2 million from a State Corporation CEO.
In an update on Wednesday, November 20, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) identified the suspects as Francis Onyango and Abigail Janai. The duo reportedly demanded the money in exchange for withdrawing a petition filed in court over alleged embezzlement of funds at the State Corporation.
“Following receipt of the complaint, the Commission mounted an operation on Friday leading to the arrest of the two suspects at a Nairobi restaurant after corruptly receiving Ksh1.7 million, being part of the Ksh2 million they had demanded,” EACC said.
The commission revealed that the suspects are part of a growing trend where individuals pose as whistleblowers or advocates of good governance, only to file petitions against government officials and later demand bribes to withdraw the cases.
“The two are believed to be part of a growing number of litigious individuals in the country posing as public-spirited citizens and passionate advocates for good governance who file petitions against government officials in court and then seek huge bribes to withdraw the cases,” the EACC noted.
After their arrest, Onyango and Janai were processed at the EACC Integrity Center Police Station before being transferred to Kilimani Police Station.
They have since been released on police bail pending further investigations.
In a similar incident reported earlier, EACC arrested a man on September 25, 2024, for impersonating the Personal Assistant to the County Secretary of Nairobi City County. According to the commission, the suspect, William Otieno Okoth, had solicited a Ksh100,000 bribe from a complainant seeking employment for his wife.
EACC disclosed that Okoth falsely claimed that the payment would help secure a job for the complainant’s wife as a cleaner in the County Government.
He further deceived the complainant by alleging that his position as “PA to the CS” gave him influence over county affairs and that he could facilitate the issuance of an employment letter in exchange for the bribe.
The complainant reported the matter to EACC, leading to an operation that resulted in Okoth’s arrest. The commission continues to urge the public to report corruption and extortion cases for prompt action.
