NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 24- A court clerk attached to the Busia Law Courts has been arrested for allegedly demanding and receiving a Sh180,000 bribe to influence the outcome of a criminal case pending before the court.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) said the suspect, Wesley Kipkoech Langat, was arrested on Monday in an operation mounted after investigators received a complaint over the alleged bribery scheme.
According to the commission, Langat allegedly acted on behalf of a magistrate at the station by demanding the money from an accused person as an inducement to secure a lenient penalty in the case.
“The arrest is part of the Commission’s sustained crackdown on bribery and other forms of corruption, aimed at safeguarding integrity and accountability in the delivery of public services and administration of justice,” the EACC stated.
EACC said its investigations began after a report that the magistrate, through the court clerk, had demanded the bribe in exchange for a favourable outcome for the complainant and six co-accused persons.
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The case reportedly involves a commercial vehicle that had been impounded by police officers over alleged traffic offences.
The commission said its officers mounted an operation that culminated in Langat’s arrest after he allegedly received the Sh180,000.
He was subsequently taken to EACC’s Western Regional Office in Bungoma, where he was being held for processing before being booked at Bungoma Police Station.
EACC said investigations into the allegations are ongoing.
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The arrest is part of the commission’s continuing crackdown on bribery and other forms of corruption, particularly at points where citizens interact with public institutions.
The commission said the operation was aimed at safeguarding integrity and accountability in the delivery of public services and the administration of justice.
EACC reiterated its commitment to tackling bribery and corruption in public institutions, warning that individuals who demand or receive bribes in exchange for public services will be pursued.
The commission urged members of the public to report suspected corruption to enable investigators to take action against public officials involved in corrupt practices.
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