"12,000 KSh bribe": Immigration officer arrested in passport scheme

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- An immigration officer at the State Department for Immigration was arrested in Mombasa over an alleged passport bribery scheme

- The suspect, Moses Karima Chandugu, allegedly demanded money to speed up fingerprint processing and a passport application

- EACC mounted an undercover operation after a formal complaint was lodged at its Lower Coast Regional Office

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested a government immigration officer on allegations of soliciting a bribe to fast-track a passport application, the Commission announced.

The officer, Moses Karima Chandugu, is attached to the State Department for Immigration, Border Control and Citizen Services.

His arrest followed a formal complaint submitted to the EACC's Lower Coast Regional Office in Mombasa, in which a member of the public accused the official of demanding payment to prioritise fingerprint processing and accelerate their passport application.

The Bribery Allegations

Preliminary investigations by the EACC established that Chandugu solicited and agreed to accept a bribe of KSh 12,000 in exchange for expediting the passport process. Acting on the complaint, the Commission organised a sting operation that led directly to his arrest.

After his arrest, Chandugu was booked and processed at Central Police Station in Mombasa. He was subsequently released on a cash bail of KSh 20,000 as investigators continue to gather evidence.

EACC's Stance on Corruption at Service Points

The Commission reiterated its commitment to rooting out bribery at public service delivery points, emphasising that all citizens are entitled to access government services without being subjected to corrupt demands.

Members of the public who encounter corrupt conduct from government officials are encouraged to report such incidents to the nearest EACC office.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.