A man and a woman accused of conning public officials and members of the public while pretending to be senior directors of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have been apprehended in Bungoma. The suspects, identified as Sharon Nanjala Anyango and Tobias Ngala Wekesa, allegedly promised to terminate corruption cases in exchange for bribes.
The EACC disclosed that the duo was caught red-handed extorting money from a senior government official. They had assured their victim that they could “sort out” a corruption case they claimed to be investigating. Following their arrest, Anyango and Wekesa were taken to the EACC’s Western regional offices in Bungoma, where they are being interviewed and statements are being recorded.
The commission highlighted that such imposters are not new. Last October, a man identified as Kennedy Ochieng Agutu was arrested in Nairobi’s South C area for impersonating an assistant director of intelligence operations at EACC. Mr. Agutu reportedly extorted millions of shillings from unsuspecting victims, including senior state officials.
Agutu would target individuals by pretending to investigate corruption allegations against them. He demanded hefty payments in exchange for skewed investigations or promises of waiving potential charges. Upon his arrest, detectives discovered fake EACC staff identification cards and credentials from a fraudulent organization called Kenya Network Against Corruption.
EACC records from 2024 reveal a worrying trend, with over 350 cases of individuals impersonating detectives to defraud unsuspecting citizens. These scams are particularly rampant in Kakamega, Bungoma, and Busia counties, where some imposters have even gone as far as establishing fake EACC offices, charging for bogus services.
The anti-graft watchdog has warned the public to be vigilant and verify the identities of individuals claiming to be its officers. It emphasized that no genuine EACC official would solicit bribes or offer to compromise investigations.
This wave of impersonations reflects a troubling exploitation of public trust, with criminals targeting victims’ fear of corruption allegations. The EACC continues to urge citizens to report suspicious activities and individuals to their official channels to curb this menace.
As these incidents rise, the commission has pledged to intensify its operations to expose and bring such imposters to justice, safeguarding the integrity of its mandate and restoring confidence in the fight against corruption.
