Officers from the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) on Wednesday arrested the Head of Liquor Licensing in Githunguri Sub-County, Kiambu County, Mercy Wambui, over allegations of soliciting a Ksh40,000 bribe.
EACC said Wambui was arrested following investigations into a complaint lodged by a bar owner in Kiambu.
The suspect is said to have impounded the businesswoman's goods for operating the bar outside the stipulated hours.
"On 28 June 2023, Kiambu County Enforcement Officers, including the suspect, went to her bar business premises and found her employees stocking beverages and undertaking stock-taking for the day. The liquor licensing officials accused the complainant of opening and operating a bar before the stipulated time. They, thus, confiscated the complainant’s goods and went away with them," EACC said.
"The complainant did a follow-up with the officials at their office whereby the suspect demanded a bribe of Ksh40,000/= in order to absolve the complainant of the alleged offence and return the impounded goods."
She allegedly threatened to revoke the businesswoman's licence in the event she failed to honour the officer's demands.
"On 4 July 2023, the complainant made another follow-up on the matter but was not assisted. Instead, the officer threatened to revoke her license and stop her from operating the bar business altogether unless the demanded Ksh40,000 was given."
The complaint reported the threats to the EACC on Tuesday, July 11, leading to the arrest of the suspect on the following day while receiving the bribe from the trader."
"She was escorted to Integrity Centre Police Station where she was processed and later released on Ksh40,000 police bail pending court appearance," EACC added.
Fight against bribery and corruption
EACC has heightened a crackdown on rogue civil servants in recent months.
Last month, officers from the anti-graft body arrested a police officer for demanding and receiving a Ksh4,000 bribe from a motorist to facilitate release of a car detained at Mumias Police Station in Kakamega County.
Confirming the incident, EACC said the said vehicle was detained on allegations that the license plate was not clearly visible.
"The Commission received the complaint today and immediately commenced investigations which culminated in the arrest of the suspect while receiving the bribe," EACC said.
