The Inspector in charge of Zimmerman Police Post accused of soliciting a Ksh10,000 bribe from a Kenyan was on Thursday, August 10, released on a Ksh 300,000 cash bail or a bond of Ksh 500,000.
Appearing before the Milimani Law Courts on Tuesday, August 8, the suspect pleaded not guilty to charges of receiving a bribe contrary to the Bribery Act of 2016.
The police officer was arrested on July 29 for soliciting and receiving a bribe from a Kenyan in order to facilitate the release of his pregnant girlfriend who had been arrested and detained at Kasarani Police Station. The offence was committed on April 25, 2021.
Following the incident, the complainant filed a report with the authorities which prompted the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate the matter.
Once EACC concluded its investigations, the Commission made its recommendations and forwarded the file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for further action.
After assessing the file, the ODPP concurred with EACC's recommendations to charge the police inspector with 2 counts of soliciting and receiving a bribe.
The Office of the ODPP investigated the officer for over two years, and only proceeded with the prosecution when they garnered sufficient evidence.
Initially, the accused person was scheduled to take plea on July 28, 2023, however, that did not proceed as scheduled after the court granted an application by the suspect’s lawyer to defer the plea for 2 weeks.
The court heard that the suspect fell ill and would be unable to appear in court.
As such, the court directed that the case resumes on Wednesday, August 9, when the court has now directed that the suspect be released on a Ksh 300,000 cash bail.
According to a statement released by the EACC, the case will be mentioned on August 22, 2023.
The commission has in the recent ramped up efforts to clamp down on corruption in government offices.
On August 2, the EACC recommended the arrest of a Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company (NAWASCO) official for demanding a Ksh50,000 bribe in order to reconnect water supply to a residential building with 17 units in Kahawa West, Nairobi County.
