The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested three Ministry of Labour officials stationed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on allegations of extorting money from agents facilitating the travel of Kenyan migrant workers to the Middle East.
The arrests followed an operation conducted by the EACC on November 30, prompted by a corruption report indicating that Labour officials at the airport were demanding bribes for each migrant worker departing the country.
Details of the Operation
The operation was executed in collaboration with a travel agent who was facilitating the travel of 78 migrant workers to the Middle East.
The agent reportedly met with the three Labour Officers at the JKIA booth they were manning. After determining the total fee for processing the workers, the officers are alleged to have demanded and subsequently received a bribe of Ksh. 34,000.
EACC investigators moved in immediately after the transaction, arresting the three suspects and recovering the extorted money from them.
Suspects Released on Bail
The three arrested suspects were identified as Benson Ouma Okello, Esther Njoki Gakuru, and Denis Marias. They were taken to the Integrity Centre for processing and statement recording.
The EACC later released each of the suspects on a cash bail of Ksh. 50,000 pending the completion of the ongoing investigation. The Commission has vowed to continue its crackdown on officials who exploit vulnerable individuals in the migration process.
