Bomet Official Arrested Over Ksh 20K Bribe
The agency has continued to warn that there is no public official that is above the law and has also called on citizens to report any bribe demands
This is confirmed by a police report in Bomet. As per it, the administrator allegedly asked for the cash as a condition to finalize the matter. Photo/ Courtesy
By Juliet Jerotich
Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives in Nakuru arrested the Assistant County Commissioner of Bomet County for allegedly asking for a Ksh 20,000 bribe.
The swoop was on Martin Vaslaus Jakoyo, Assistant County Commissioner Emkwen Division. He was detained and booked at Bomet Central Police Station.
As per the EACC, Jakoyo is said to have demanded the bribe in order to resolve a grievance between two citizens. The matter at hand had been resolved previously by Nyumba Kumi elders in the local area.
This is confirmed by a police report in Bomet. As per it, the administrator allegedly asked for the cash as a condition to finalize the matter.
Following the arrest, some of the Bomet Central Sub-county chiefs made their complaints anonymously since the issue was sensitive. They accused Jakoyo of undermining their war against alcoholism in the region.
They also accused him of using his official position to pursue personal interests rather than serving the community. Such accusations, yet to be proven in a court of law, have raised doubts on the conduct of some of the top county officials.
The arrest is part of the EACC’s continuation of efforts to stem corruption in public offices. The agency has continued to warn that there is no public official that is above the law and has also called on citizens to report any bribe demands.
In the last two years, the EACC has increased action in counties, targeting both senior administrators and lower-grade officers embroiled in corruption cases. Authorities say it is to restore people’s trust in government offices.
Jakoyo will be arrested once probes are completed. The EACC did not indicate whether others are being probed in connection to the case.
To those residing in Bomet, the arrest sends a direct message that corruption in any form, however minute, would not be tolerated. While investigations are ongoing, leaders are demanding higher levels of accountability and transparency from public servants tasked with local administration.
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