The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested the officer in charge of Zimmerman Police Post in Kasarani, who was accused of soliciting and receiving a bribe to release a pregnant woman.
EACC arrested the policewoman on Thursday, July 27, after responding to the request made by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP).
The officer is facing two counts of soliciting and receiving a bribe from a complainant in order to release his pregnant girlfriend, who was arrested and detained before being released in April 2021.
In the case that detectives have been investigating for over two years, the complainant feared for his girlfriend's life and well-being, prompting him to file a report with the police.
EACC processed the officer at the Integrity Centre Police Station, where she provided her statement and account of the incident.
The Zimmermann officer was released on a cash bail of an undisclosed amount and was directed to present herself at the Anti-Corruption court on Friday, July 28, to take a plea.
However, she failed to appear as scheduled, citing illness and hospitalization as the reasons for her absence.
According to her lawyers, she allegedly fell ill on Thursday evening, July 27, right after leaving the EACC offices, requiring two weeks of treatment to address her health concerns.
The court granted her plea for adjournment, directing the prosecution and the defence to resume the case on August 9. The prosecution was also ordered to present the accused in court to take a plea.
"EACC continues to urge all public officials to recognize that they hold their respective offices in trust for the people.
"As such, they should desist from corrupt practices, including demanding, soliciting, receiving or accepting bribes from citizens. Whether petty or grand, corruption hurts the public and affects national prosperity in many ways," EACC warned while assuring that it would ensure the accused is prosecuted.
The commission further condemned bribery, warning that it undermines the realisation of national development goals and reduces the capacity of institutions to render services effectively, magnifies human rights violations and reduces investment due to the high cost of doing business.
