Four members of the Gatundu North NG-CDF Committee have been arrested over allegations of extorting Ksh300,000 from a contractor in exchange for approving a pending payment of Ksh9.1 million.
In a statement on Thursday, February 26, the arrests were carried out on Wednesday, February 25, by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) following an undercover operation.
“Those arrested are Annah Mugure Njoroge, Susan Wanjiru Muchiri, Stephen Waititu Mungai and James Kibe Ngige. The Commission received a report that the officials had demanded the bribe to authorize payment for completed works at Karure Primary School,” the statement read.
EACC further detailed the projects undertaken by the complainant and the timeline leading up to the alleged demand for a bribe.
“According to preliminary investigations, the contractor had undertaken three projects: construction of a modern kitchen at Karure Primary School, levelling and landscaping works, and uplifting and general renovation of an administration block and six classrooms. The works were completed on 31 January 2026, after which the contractor formally requested payment,” the statement added.
EACC stated that the payment was allegedly withheld despite completion of the works, setting the stage for the extortion claims.
“However, the four committee members allegedly blocked the payment, citing unnamed unresolved issues. On 23 February 2026, the complainant met three of the suspects, who reportedly demanded Kes300,000 in order not to raise objections to the payment,” the statement continued.
The agency explained that the suspects were arrested during a sting operation where they received Ksh250,000 from the contractor.
“EACC mounted an operation on 25 February 2026, which led to the arrest of the suspects at Karure Primary School as they received Ksh250,000 from the contractor. They were escorted to the Integrity Centre for processing and later booked at Kilimani Police Station,” the statement concluded.
The suspects were subsequently released on cash bail of Ksh40,000 each pending completion of investigations.
