The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has apprehended two women in Kakamega County for impersonating law enforcement officers and engaging in extortion.
The suspects, identified as Ruth Kaimuri and Tabitha Kwena Wangeci, were allegedly caught red-handed while attempting to extort Ksh50,000 from a local trader in Khayega Shopping Centre, Shinyalu Constituency.
EACC said the criminals, who were operating under the guise of a private entity called Multi-Agency Works and Rights Enforcement, had been posing as a legitimate law enforcement body.
They falsely claimed to have the authority to conduct criminal investigations, make arrests, and inspect business premises for compliance with various regulations, including standards, expiry dates, operating licenses, and tax compliance.
Reports indicate that the accused, along with other officials from the fake entity, had been seizing goods from businesses and demanding exorbitant bribes ranging from Ksh20,000 to Ksh50,000 per trader.
In return for the hefty payments, they promised to release the impounded goods and absolve the traders of any fabricated criminal charges.
“Officials of the said entity, including the arrested suspects, are reported to have been confiscating goods from businesses and demanding bribes ranging from Kes. 20,000 to Kes. 50,000 per trader in order to release the impounded goods and ‘waive’ purported criminal charges against the traders,” EACC said.
The EACC, acting swiftly upon receiving the complaint, deployed their Bungoma detectives to mount an operation leading to the arrest of the culprits.
The sting operation unfolded as the suspects were caught in the act of receiving the bribe from the complainant.
Prior to the intervention, the criminals had unlawfully detained a supermarket attendant and confiscated goods as part of their elaborate scheme.
Currently detained at Khayega Police Station, Kaimuri and Wangeci face charges of impersonation, extortion, and illegal confinement.
Authorities have urged any individuals who may have fallen victim to similar crimes to come forward and report the incidents promptly to the nearest EACC office, Huduma Service Desk, or police station.
The EACC expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of such fraudulent activities, particularly in Western Kenya. They highlighted the unfortunate reality that even high-ranking government officials have fallen victim to these impersonators, who exploit their victims’ fears and offer a way out through bribery.
They said there is an urgent need for greater public awareness and vigilance against such scams, as well as for stricter measures to combat corruption and protect citizens’ rights.
“It is regrettable that many Kenyans, including senior government officials, have fallen prey to impersonators who have extorted huge amounts of money from them partly due to the readiness of the victims to bribe their way out of perceived trouble, including corruption allegations,” EACC added.
