EACC says two women were arrested over an alleged payment to influence an investigation in Western Kenya.
EACC says the Kakamega suspects demanded Sh100,000 while claiming agency connections could end an investigation, and were arrested after allegedly receiving Sh30,000.
Two women from Kakamega County have been arrested after allegedly obtaining Sh30,000 from a person under investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), claiming they could arrange for the inquiry to be terminated.
The commission identified the suspects as Hellen Hashiali Masinde and Violet Ndakwa. It said they had demanded Sh100,000 and were arrested in Western Kenya after allegedly receiving part of that amount.
In its September 24 account of the arrests, EACC said the two had been apprehended the previous day. Investigations into their alleged conduct were still underway.
Claims of Connections Within EACC
The alleged demand centred on assurances that the women had connections inside the anti-graft agency. EACC said the suspects presented those purported contacts as a means of influencing the investigation and having the matter closed.
The Sh30,000 allegedly received was part of the Sh100,000 demanded, rather than the full payment sought. The commission linked the arrests to the receipt of that partial payment.
EACC did not identify the person who allegedly paid the money or disclose the specific corruption offence, if any, being examined in the underlying investigation. It also provided no further details about that inquiry.
The commission’s account did not establish that the suspects had genuine influence within the agency. Its allegations concern their claims that they could secure a particular outcome in exchange for money.
Suspects Held in Bungoma
Following their arrest, Masinde and Ndakwa were taken to EACC’s Western Regional Office for processing. They were subsequently booked at Bungoma Central Police Station.
The commission said the two remained at the station pending the completion of investigations. Its statement described their arrest and detention but did not announce any court proceedings or outcome.
EACC said it believed the suspects were part of a group operating in the Western Region whose members either impersonate commission officers or falsely present themselves as capable of influencing matters under investigation.
That suspected wider connection remains part of the commission’s account of the case. The information released did not identify other alleged members of the group or detail any additional arrests.
Public Warned Against Paying Intermediaries
The commission cautioned the public against giving money to anyone promising to influence an EACC investigation or other proceedings. Its warning covered claims of access to agency officials as well as purported power to alter the course of a case.
EACC urged anyone approached with such claims to report the matter to the commission promptly. The allegations against the two women remain under investigation.
