Ukambani benga musician, a female police officer, and three other individuals have been arrested for impersonating officers of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in Kitui County. The suspects, including Kyalo Kasee of the Kalandini Boys Band and Corporal Anne Mutheu, were apprehended following a staged arrest of Roseline Kavata, the Kitui revenue director. The police will seek court orders to detain the five suspects as investigations continue.
The Phoney Arrest
The incident unfolded on Friday when the suspects, posing as EACC officers, stormed Kavata’s office. Accusing her of corruption, they conducted a search of her office before escorting her to her house in Kitui town. There, they ransacked the premises, allegedly searching for stolen funds from the county government.
A Call for Help
As the fraudulent search was underway, Kavata, suspecting foul play, managed to alert a colleague. The colleague quickly notified the police, who arrived at the scene and apprehended the imposters. The suspects were found with fake EACC identification badges, leading the genuine EACC to disown them as fraudsters and imposters.
Police Response and Investigation
Kitui Central sub-county police commander Peter Karanja confirmed the arrests and stated that the police would seek court orders to detain the suspects further while investigations continue. “We are moving to court on Monday morning to seek orders to hold the suspects for a number of days as we conclude investigations,” Karanja said on Sunday. He added that the investigation aims to determine if the suspects have been involved in other fraudulent activities.
Legal Proceedings
Since their arrest on Friday evening, the police have not completed the investigation file. Karanja indicated that once the investigation is complete, the file will be presented to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for prosecution approval. “Since we arrested them on Friday evening, we have not concluded their file. That is why we will ask the court on Monday to grant us more time to keep the suspects. Once we are done, we will present the file to the ODPP for prosecution approval,” Karanja said.
Official Condemnation
The incident has drawn strong condemnation from Kitui County officials. Peter Kilonzo, the County Executive Committee member in charge of the treasury, denounced the fraudulent activities and called on any other victims to come forward and report to the police. He reaffirmed Governor Julius Malombe’s strict anti-corruption stance, emphasizing that any officer found engaging in corrupt practices would be dismissed. “Public resources must be ring-fenced and used appropriately,” Kilonzo stated, assuring residents that county funds are secure.
Community Impact
This incident highlights the ongoing struggle against corruption and fraud in public offices. It also underscores the need for vigilance and prompt action by both officials and the public to combat such deceitful activities. The bold attempt by the suspects to impersonate EACC officers not only put them in legal jeopardy but also served as a stark reminder of the lengths to which fraudsters will go to exploit and harass public servants.
As investigations proceed, the public and county officials alike await the court’s decision on the detention of the suspects and the outcomes of the broader probe into their activities. The swift response by Kavata and the subsequent police action serve as a crucial example of how prompt and coordinated efforts can thwart fraudulent schemes and uphold integrity in public service.
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