EACC Arrests Nakuru Water Officer, Finds KSh100,000 Bribe Hidden in Socks

EACC Arrests Nakuru Water Officer, Finds KSh100,000 Bribe Hidden in Socks

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested an employee of Nakuru Water and Sewerage Company (NAWASCO) over allegations of soliciting bribes from residents seeking water services, in a case that has reignited concerns about corruption in essential public utilities.

According to the commission, the suspect — a leak detection officer — was apprehended on Monday, March 23, following a complaint from a resident of Langa Langa Estate who alleged that the official demanded KSh15,000 to facilitate the replacement of a confiscated water meter.

EACC investigators said they launched a sting operation after verifying the complaint, leading to the officer’s arrest while allegedly receiving the illicit payment.

During the operation, detectives recovered the marked KSh15,000 from the suspect. A subsequent search uncovered additional sums of money believed to be proceeds of corruption — including KSh100,000 concealed inside his socks and another KSh18,000 hidden in his coat pocket.

The commission said the unusual concealment of the cash raised strong suspicions that the officer may have been involved in a broader pattern of bribery beyond the single reported incident.

Officials indicated that investigations are now underway to determine whether other victims or accomplices may be linked to the case, as well as to establish the origin of the recovered funds.

The suspect was taken to the EACC’s South Rift Regional Office in Nakuru for questioning and processing before being detained at Central Police Station Nakuru pending further action.

Anti-corruption advocates say the case highlights the vulnerability of citizens seeking essential services, particularly water connections and billing adjustments, which often involve direct interaction with utility staff.

The arrest comes amid a series of recent enforcement actions by the commission targeting graft within public institutions. Just days earlier, the EACC announced a major recovery of public funds from a former county official in Homa Bay.

According to the agency, a court ordered Walter Odhiambo, a former Deputy Director of Health in Homa Bay County, to refund KSh10.9 million in salaries he allegedly earned unlawfully.

The ruling, delivered by Benjamin Musyoki of the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, found that Odhiambo had been simultaneously employed at two different government institutions between June 2016 and August 2021 — a violation of public service regulations.

The commission said the irregular payments were uncovered after months of investigations and legal proceedings.

Separately, the EACC has also highlighted other corruption cases involving government employees. In one instance reported last year, an official attached to a Lands Control Board was arrested after allegedly soliciting bribes from a landowner seeking consent to transfer property following a sale.

Investigators said the arrest was made after a complainant tipped off authorities, enabling officers to conduct a trap operation similar to the one used in the NAWASCO case.

Corruption watchdogs warn that such incidents erode public trust and increase the cost of accessing basic services, disproportionately affecting low-income households.

While the EACC has intensified enforcement efforts, experts say sustained success in combating graft will require stronger internal controls within institutions, whistleblower protection, and swift prosecution of offenders.

The commission has urged members of the public to continue reporting corruption, assuring them that complaints are treated confidentially and acted upon promptly.

As the Nakuru case proceeds, authorities say they remain committed to rooting out corruption at all levels, emphasizing that no public officer is above the law.

For residents of Nakuru and beyond, the dramatic discovery of cash hidden in socks serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which some officials may go to conceal illicit gains — and the ongoing battle to ensure integrity in public service delivery.

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EACC Arrests Nakuru Water Officer, Finds KSh100,000 Bribe Hidden in Socks