Authorities from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have detained a chief in Garissa County over accusations of extorting money from refugees who require services from his office.
According to the EACC, Abdirahman Shafe Yussuf, serving as the Chief of Bulla Mzuri Location, has been allegedly soliciting bribes from refugees involved in the ongoing process of de-registering fingerprints from the UNHCR system.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the EACC highlighted that Yussuf purportedly demands a payment of Sh. 3000 from each service seeker as a “consultation fee” and an additional Sh. 10,000 labeled as a “facilitation fee,” despite the fact that the services are meant to be provided free of charge.
Reports suggest that individuals seeking assistance have been instructed to first settle these unlawful charges with an associate of the chief, stationed in a vehicle parked outside the vetting hall.
The anti-corruption agency disclosed that Yussuf was apprehended last Thursday while in the process of collecting funds.
Upon thorough investigation, authorities uncovered a sum of Sh. 139,000 believed to be part of that day’s collection.
Additionally, a list detailing 85 instances of double registration was seized, along with corresponding payment amounts.
https://x.com/EACCKenya/status/1795432060397531440
Following his arrest, Yussuf was processed at the EACC Garissa Regional Office and subsequently released on police bond pending the conclusion of the investigation.
In response to the incident, the Commission strongly denounced the exploitation of vulnerable individuals by public officials for personal financial gain.
They urged the public to come forward and report such misconduct, emphasizing the importance of holding accountable those who abuse their positions of authority.
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