A major corruption scandal has rocked the National Treasury’s Pensions Department after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) exposed a well-organized bribery syndicate operating within the institution.
On Thursday, July 17, the EACC confirmed the arrest of four employees, including two senior pension officers, a chief clerical officer, and an intern, all implicated in a scheme that targeted desperate pensioners and members of the public seeking government services.
UNDERCOVER STING UNCOVERS YEARS-LONG BRIBERY RING
The arrests follow a two-month undercover operation prompted by numerous public complaints. According to the EACC, citizens reported frequent delays and frustrating experiences while trying to access basic pension services—unless they paid bribes.
Investigators discovered that the officers had created a pay-to-serve system, demanding bribes through a mobile money paybill number to fast-track processing of applications and benefits.
Shockingly, the paybill account was registered under the intern’s mother’s name, which the EACC believes was a calculated attempt to conceal the syndicate’s activities.
KSH10.5 MILLION IN ILLEGAL PAYMENTS TRACED TO INTERN’S FAMILY ACCOUNT
In a damning report, the EACC revealed that over Ksh10.5 million was funneled through the paybill account over a two-year period, with funds distributed among the four suspects.
“The mobile paybill account used in this scheme was found to be registered under the name of the mother of Mr. Muhando, the intern involved. Between 2022 and 2024, a total of Kes10,523,044 was transacted through the account,” said the EACC in its statement.
SUSPECTS DETAINED AS PROBE DEEPENS
The suspects were booked at the Integrity Centre Police Station and later transferred to Kilimani Police Station for further questioning. The EACC confirmed that more arrests and prosecutions could follow as investigations widen.
EACC ZEROES IN ON PUBLIC SERVICE CORRUPTION
This case marks another high-profile success for the EACC’s intensified campaign to weed out corruption in government departments through covert operations and public tip-offs.
In April 2025, two civil registration officers at the Kakamega Huduma Centre were arrested for demanding bribes to issue birth and death certificates.
In another case from March, a government official from the Lands Control Board was caught red-handed receiving a Ksh70,000 bribe for facilitating illegal land transactions.
PUBLIC URGED TO REPORT CORRUPTION CASES
The EACC is now calling on Kenyans to remain vigilant and report any public officials soliciting bribes. The commission emphasized that no one should have to pay for government services that are supposed to be free and accessible to all.
“Corruption thrives in silence. We urge citizens to come forward. Your voice is a powerful weapon against this vice,” the commission urged.
