The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested a chief in Garissa County for allegedly extorting money from refugees seeking services at his office.
Abdirahman Shafe Yussuf, the Chief of Bulla Mzuri Location, stands accused of demanding bribes from refugees during the de-registration of fingerprints from the UNHCR system.
According to the EACC, Yussuf allegedly requires every service seeker to pay him Ksh. 3000 as a “consultation fee” and an additional Ksh. 10,000 as a “facilitation fee,” despite the service being free of charge.
The anti-graft body stated that all individuals seeking services were instructed to first pay these illegal charges to an accomplice of Yussuf, who operated from a motor vehicle parked outside the vetting hall.
Yussuf was apprehended last Thursday while in the act, and a thorough search led to the recovery of Ksh. 139,000, believed to be part of the day’s collection. Additionally, officers found a list of 85 double-registered applicants, indicating the amount paid by each.
Yussuf was processed at the EACC Garissa Regional Office and released on police bond pending the finalization of the probe.
In response, the Commission has strongly condemned such actions by public officers, emphasizing that exploiting vulnerable service seekers for financial gain is unacceptable.
They encourage members of the public to report such misconduct and not hesitate to expose corrupt officials.
