NAIROBI, Kenya — The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested and arraigned a Kisumu County Revenue Officer accused of soliciting and receiving a Sh10,000 bribe from a matatu operator.
In a statement, the commission said the officer was charged before the Kisumu Anti-Corruption Court on Tuesday, February 10.
He allegedly demanded Sh18,500 from a businessman operating a matatu along the Kisumu–Kisii route.
“The charges follow investigations conducted by the Commission, which established that Mr Odhiambo allegedly solicited a bribe of Sh18,500 from a businessman operating a matatu between Kisumu and Kisii,” EACC said.
According to the commission, the officer threatened to pursue fabricated charges against the complainant unless the bribe was paid.
Investigators say the suspect later received Sh10,000 as part payment before he was arrested.
“The officer is accused of threatening to pursue fabricated charges against the complainant unless the bribe was paid. The accused was later arrested upon receiving Sh10,000 as part payment,” the commission added.
The officer pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court released him on a cash bail of Sh20,000 or an alternative bond of Sh50,000.
The case is scheduled for a hearing on February 25, 2026, at the Kisumu Law Courts.
The arrest comes amid renewed anti-corruption enforcement targeting county governments and public revenue collection points.
Under Article 79 of the Constitution, EACC is mandated to combat and prevent corruption and economic crimes, while Chapter Six sets integrity standards for public officers.
The commission has, in recent weeks, stepped up prosecutions linked to county administrations.
Two weeks ago, it arraigned six suspects, including four former Homa Bay County officials, over an alleged irregular tender award worth Sh348,927,840.
The suspects included a former Clerk of the Homa Bay County Assembly, a former County Executive Committee Member for Lands, a former Quantity Surveyor at the Ministry of Public Works who also served as project manager, and two directors of a private company. EACC alleges the tender was awarded to a company linked to some county employees.
Appearing before Chief Magistrate A. M. Obura at the Kisii Chief Magistrates Court on January 20, the six pleaded not guilty to the charges.
EACC has urged members of the public to report bribery demands and pledged to continue pursuing both high-level and grassroots corruption cases.
The outcome of the Kisumu proceedings will test ongoing efforts to enforce accountability at the county level, as the commission intensifies its crackdown on abuse of office in devolved units.
