The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested an immigration officer over allegations of soliciting a Ksh20,000 bribe to facilitate the processing of a Kenyan passport.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The officer, who works for the State Department for Immigration, Border Control and Citizen Services, was arrested following a complaint lodged at the Commission’s Lower Coast Regional Office in Mombasa.

According to EACC, the officer allegedly demanded the money to facilitate early fingerprint processing and expedite the complainant’s passport application.

Preliminary investigations established that the officer had solicited and agreed to receive Ksh20,000 in connection with the passport application.

📌 What You Need to Know

The commission subsequently mounted an operation that culminated in the officer’s arrest after the alleged bribery transaction was established.

“The suspect was arrested following a complaint lodged at the Commission’s Lower Coast Regional Office in Mombasa,” EACC confirmed.

The officer was taken to Central Police Station in Mombasa, where he was booked and processed before being released on a Ksh20,000 cash bail.

EACC said investigations into the matter are ongoing as it seeks to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged bribery and whether other individuals were involved.

The arrest comes amid continued concerns over corruption at public service delivery points , particularly where citizens seek essential government documents and services.

The Kenya National Gender and Corruption Survey 2025 identified immigration officers among public officials associated with significant average bribe payments, with the average amount reported at Ksh12,102.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke