Con Activist Arrested For Extorting Ksh3 Million Bribe From KICC CEO
On Tuesday, officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) arrested the Chairperson of the Consortium of Civil Societies on charges of extorting Ksh3 million from the CEO of Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
According to the integrity watchdog, EACC detectives arrested the suspect at a Nairobi hotel where he was supposed to receive the bribe.
EACC spokesperson Eric Ngumbi stated that the suspect, Peter Agoro, insisted on receiving a bribe in order to avoid reporting alleged procurement malpractices at an unidentified state corporation.
“The amount was an inducement and facilitation fee so as not to pursue and publicize accusations of procurement malpractices he claimed to have against the parastatal CEO,” he noted.
Arobaini Za Peter Agoro:
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) September 17, 2024
Mwenyekiti wa mashirika ya kijamii Peter Agoro amekamatwa kwa madai ya kuitisha hongo ya Shilingi milioni tatu.#NTVJioni @nicholaswambua_ @kevinmutai_ pic.twitter.com/s36y4cyiL3
It was reported that the complainant initially proposed lowering the bribe amount.
The suspect is said to have agreed to reduce the bribe to Ksh2 million, which was supposed to be paid in two instalments.
According to the initial agreement, the first instalment of the bribe amount, totaling Ksh1.5 million, was supposed to be channeled on Tuesday, with Ksh500,000 sent later at an unspecified date.
The chief executive officer, whose identity was not immediately revealed, reported the incident to the commission, resulting in the suspect’s arrest just as he was about to receive the bribe.
“The commission undertook an operation this morning leading to the arrest of the suspect after receiving the first instalment of Ksh1.5 million which was in USD10,800 and Ksh100,000,” EACC stated.
The suspect was arrested and taken to the EACC Integrity Centre Police Station, where he was detained while awaiting his court appearance.
Activist Peter Agoro arrested by EACC detectives after he allegedly tried to extort Kshs 3 million from corrupt KICC Chief Executive officer James Mwaura. He is being processed at Intergrity Centre. Says he was sent by Irungu Nyakera pic.twitter.com/BnZpuek1K5
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) September 17, 2024
The EACC has stepped up efforts to combat corruption, particularly in public parastatals.
In April of this year, the Commission arrested two Nairobi County officials for allegedly soliciting bribes in excess of Ksh 300,000 to allow the complainant to place a container on a roadside reserve.
After being notified by the complainant, the Commission intercepted and arrested the two officials as they were about to accept the bribe.
Con Activist Arrested For Extorting Ksh3 Million Bribe From KICC CEO
