EACC nab customs official at JKIA over bribe allegations
On Friday, detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission detained a KRA Customs official at JKIA on charges of accepting bribes.
The Commission stated in a statement on Saturday that the suspect was detained for reportedly demanding KSh. 35,000 to aid in tax fraud.
“After arrest, she was escorted to EACC Integrity Centre Police Station where she was processed,” the Commission said.
After spending the night at the Kilimani Police Station, she was taken back to the Integrity Center on Saturday and freed on a cash bail, according to the EACC.
She is accused of having demanded a bribe from a consignee who had gone to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to pick up his laptop.
The device, an HP model, was allegedly shipped to the consignee by his relative in Texas, USA, using DHL.
“The consignee had received a message from DHL through his mobile phone that his consignment had arrived and he was required to pay a tax of Sh100,974 for the laptop HP SPECTRE X360. When he arrived at DHL, he was directed to see the KRA Customs Official who demanded the bribe,” EACC said.
According to the Commission, the customs official asked for a KSh. 35,000 payment in exchange for undervaluing the laptop so that the consignee would only have to pay Sh12,000 in taxes.
“Upon investigations, EACC arrested the officer yesterday evening (Friday) while receiving the bribe,” the Commission said.
“She was today released on cash bail pending further action, in accordance with the law,” it added.