By Andrew Kariuki
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested a revenue officer from the Kilifi County Government over allegations of bribery and abuse of office.
The suspect, Sylvia Dhahabu Karisa, a Building Inspector attached to the Approvals Section in Watamu Municipality, is accused of demanding Ksh435,000 from a complainant to facilitate the issuance of construction approval.
According to the complainant, county revenue officers visited his construction site in the Timboni area of Watamu and demanded Ksh73,000 for wall construction and Ksh362,000 for additional structures. The amounts are alleged to have been deliberately inflated for personal financial gain.
The EACC stated that upon receiving the complaint on March 25, 2026, it conducted preliminary investigations which confirmed a bribe demand of Ksh400,000.
An operation was subsequently mounted on March 26, 2026, leading to the arrest of the suspect at the Watamu Municipal Offices.
She was escorted to the EACC Upper Coast Regional Office in Malindi for processing and later taken to Malindi Police Station, where she was released on a cash bail of Ksh20,000 pending the conclusion of investigations.
The Commission has cautioned public officers against engaging in corrupt practices, reiterating its commitment to eradicating bribery at service delivery points and enhancing access to quality public services.
