The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Tuesday arrested two civilians in Magarini Sub-County for allegedly soliciting and receiving a bribe of Sh250,000 to facilitate recruitment to Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
Salim Mohamed Shekue and Fredrick Hamisi Baya are said to have convinced the complainant that they would enable recruitment and admission to KDF without undergoing the procedures set.
KDF is currently recruiting its officers countrywide.
Confirming the arrest, EACC Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication Eric Ngumbi said that the suspects were processed at EACC Offices in Malindi.
The two spent their night at Malindi Police Station awaiting their arraignment Wednesday.
"The suspects allegedly told the complainant that they had "very deep connections" at the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and duped him into giving them the demanded bribe," Ngumbi said.
"According to the complainant, he took a bank loan of Sh250,000 and gave the two suspects an initial amount of Sh200,000."
The two were arrested at Magarini Sub-County, Kilifi County while receiving the balance of Sh50,000 from the complainant.
They demanded the balance claiming that only after full payment they would process the purported admission letter.
According to the complainant, on July 30, 2023, Salim Mohamed Shekue who claimed to be deeply connected to KDF solicited the amount through his Agent, Fredrick Hamisi Baya.
On 28th August 2023, the suspects contacted the complainant and demanded the balance of Sh50,000 to facilitate recruitment in the ongoing exercise failure to which his purported chance to join KDF would be lost.
It was then that the complainant reported the matter to the EACC Malindi office.
EACC has cautioned Kenyans against succumbing to such bribe demands.
"Suspected cases of bribe demands may be reported through Toll-Free No. 1551," Ngumbi said.
