By Sharon Resian
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 26 — The Kenya Forest Service (KFS) has suspended two of its officers following their arrest by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in Garissa, where they are suspected to be involved in a fraudulent scheme. The officers, Elphas Wesonga, a Conservator, and Ibrahim Hussein, an accountant, were arrested for allegedly overpaying casual workers and then coercing them into returning the excess funds for their personal gain.
In a statement issued on September 25, KFS emphasized its commitment to fighting corruption, stating that the actions of the officers were unacceptable and would be addressed swiftly. “All KFS staff are made aware of the Anti-Corruption Policy, Staff Code of Conduct, and Whistleblower Policy, which uphold a zero-tolerance stance against corruption,” said the organization.
According to EACC, the fraud involved overpaying casual employees and later demanding that they return the extra funds. In some cases, money was deposited into workers’ bank accounts under the guise of legitimate payments, only for the workers to be pressured to withdraw and hand over the money to the officers.
EACC’s preliminary investigation suggests that the proceeds from the fraud were shared among the arrested officers and their senior colleagues. The two suspects were processed at the EACC’s North Eastern Regional Offices in Garissa and were later booked at Garissa Police Station as investigations continue.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about corruption within public service institutions and the efforts of the EACC to combat fraudulent activities.
