Officers from the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) on Wednesday arrested the Head of Liquor Licensing in Githunguri Sub-County, Kiambu County, Mercy Wambui, over allegations of soliciting a Ksh40,000 bribe.
According to EACC, Wambui was arrested following investigations into a complaint lodged by a bar owner in Kiambu.
The suspect is said to have impounded the businesswoman’s goods for operating the bar outside the stipulated hours.
“On 28 June 2023, Kiambu County Enforcement Officers, including the suspect, went to her bar business premises and found her employees stocking beverages and undertaking stock-taking for the day. The liquor licensing officials accused the complainant of opening and operating a bar before the stipulated time. They, thus, confiscated the complainant’s goods and went away with them,” EACC said.
“The complainant did a follow-up with the officials at their office whereby the suspect demanded a bribe of Ksh40,000/= in order to absolve the complainant of the alleged offence and return the impounded goods.”
On 4 July 2023, the complainant made another follow-up on the matter but was not assisted. Instead, the officer threatened to revoke her license and stop her from operating the bar business altogether unless the demanded Kes. 40,000 was given.
“On 11 July 2023, the complainant reported the matter to EACC which undertook investigations and verified the bribe demand. The suspect was arrested the following day while receiving the bribe from the complainant,” the EACC added.
She was escorted to Integrity Centre Police Station where she was processed and later released on Kes. 40,000 police bail pending court appearance.
