A police officer attached to Langas Police Station in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County was arrested on Saturday for attempting to solicit a Ksh500,000 bribe from the father of a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) applicant.
The officer, who was on leave during the incident, was among a group of 6 police officers who appeared at the complainant's doorstep impersonating KDF recruitment personnel with counterfeit calling letters bearing the complainant's daughter's name.
Subsequently, police officers from Cherengany Police Station visited the scene and arrested all 6 individuals involved.
"They were all arrested while awaiting for Ksh500,000 as a bribe so that they could issue the fake calling letters. They have been placed in custody awaiting to be arraigned in court," read a police report seen by Kenyans.co.ke.
Among the arrested police officers was an Assistant County Commissioner from the Rift Valley region.
During the operation, the officers recovered two counterfeit KDF calling letters as well as two white envelopes bearing the Ministry of Environment logo.
Additionally, a cash bail receipt, an ID card, and a driving license were found at the scene.
A blue Toyota Vitz was also seized during the operation.
This comes after several cautionary warnings issued by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) warning Kenyans against falling prey to fraudsters issuing fake certificates at a fee.
The National Police Service (NPS) has in the past also warned Kenyans over a rise in the number of fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officers.
On July 29, EACC Deputy Chief Executive Abdi Mohamud stated that the agency had identified at least five categories of certificate fraud in both the National and County Governments.
“Some workers secure employment, promotions, or university admissions using fake certificates with the full knowledge and support of their employers or the universities,” EACC stated.
