The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested three Ministry of Labour officials stationed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for allegedly extorting money from agents coordinating the travel of Kenyan migrant workers to the Middle East.
According to a statement from the Commission, the arrests were made on November 30 during a sting operation conducted in partnership with a travel agent who was clearing 78 migrant workers set to depart for the Middle East.
The agent reportedly met the officers at the ministry’s airport booth, where the officials allegedly demanded a bribe before allowing the workers to proceed.
EACC says the officers asked for and received Ksh.34,000 from the agent. Investigators moved in immediately, arresting the three suspects and recovering the money.
The officials, identified as Benson Ouma Okello, Esther Njoki Gakuru, and Denis Marias, were taken to the EACC’s Integrity Centre headquarters for processing and statement recording. They were later released on a cash bail of Ksh.50,000 each as investigations continue.
The arrests follow reports filed with the Commission alleging that some Labour Ministry personnel at JKIA routinely solicit bribes from travel agents, with payments allegedly demanded for every migrant worker departing for the Middle East.
EACC says more investigations are underway to determine the scale of the alleged extortion network and whether additional officers are involved.
Source: Citizen Digital
Written By Rodney Mbua
