EACC arrests Kilifi revenue officer over alleged Sh400,000 bribery demand

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested a revenue officer from Kilifi County over allegations of bribery and abuse of office in a case linked to construction approvals in Watamu.

In a statement released on Friday, the commission said the officer allegedly demanded Sh435,000 from a complainant to facilitate the issuance of a construction permit.

The complaint, lodged on March 25, triggered preliminary investigations that pointed to a deliberate scheme to inflate official charges for personal gain.

According to the commission, county revenue officers had visited a construction site in the Timboni area and issued demands amounting to Sh73,000 for a perimeter wall and Sh362,000 for other structures.

“The amount is said to have been deliberately inflated for personal financial gain,” the commission said.

EACC investigators established that a bribe demand of Sh400,000 had been made, prompting the agency to mount an operation that led to the arrest at Watamu municipal offices a day later.

“Upon receiving the complaint on March 25, 2026, the Commission conducted preliminary investigations, which confirmed a bribe demand of Sh400,000,” the statement read.

Following the arrest, the officer was taken to the EACC Upper Coast Regional Office in Malindi for processing before being booked at Malindi Police Station. The officer was later released on a cash bail of Sh20,000 as investigations continue.

The commission said the arrest is part of ongoing efforts to tackle corruption at service delivery points, particularly in county governments where approval processes are often prone to manipulation.

“The Commission cautions public officers against engaging in corrupt practices and reiterates its commitment to eradicating bribery at service delivery points to enhance access to quality services for all citizens,” EACC said.

Investigations into the matter are ongoing, with the commission expected to forward its findings to the Director of Public Prosecutions upon completion for further action.