In a dramatic crackdown that underscores the government’s renewed war on corruption, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) County Director for Bomet has been arrested for allegedly soliciting a Ksh 25,000 bribe to facilitate the licensing of an illegal lodging facility.
The arrest, carried out through a well-coordinated sting operation by officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), has sent shockwaves across the region and raised urgent questions about the integrity of regulatory authorities.
According to EACC sources, the NEMA boss was caught red-handed receiving the cash from an undercover agent posing as a business owner seeking to fast-track environmental clearance for a non-compliant establishment. The sting was reportedly prompted by a tip-off from members of the public, who accused the official of routinely exploiting small-scale entrepreneurs through demands for bribes in exchange for permits.
“This arrest is part of our ongoing commitment to dismantle entrenched corruption networks within county regulatory offices,” said an EACC official who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Public servants must know that abusing their position for personal gain will not go unpunished.”
The suspect was immediately taken into custody and is expected to be arraigned on charges related to abuse of office and soliciting bribes, offences that carry severe penalties under Kenya’s anti-corruption laws.
The incident has sparked outrage among local residents and business owners, many of whom complain about bureaucratic hurdles and extortion in acquiring licenses. Environmental activists, too, have voiced concern over the potential environmental risks posed by such illegal approvals, stressing that corruption undermines the credibility of regulatory oversight.
As investigations continue, the Bomet case serves as a stark reminder that the fight against corruption must not only target high-profile cases in Nairobi but also reach deep into county-level offices, where impunity often thrives away from the spotlight.
