Three judicial officers were on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, arrested over allegations of issuing fake court receipts in Makueni County.
The officers are Court Assistant Nelson Munyaka, Accountant David Mwaura and Court Driver William Musembi.
In a statement on Wednesday, the National Police Service (NPS) said the suspects were nabbed by officers from Nunguni Police Post who got wind of their activities.
“The trio is suspected of conspiring and issuing fake receipts for payment of court fines and forfeitures and subsequent release of accused persons from either Court or Police stations,” NPS said.
“Today, forged receipts amounting to Ksh161,000/= were verified and established to have been issued between Feb 14, 2024, and Feb 16, 2024, in respect to some traffic cases where accused persons had pleaded guilty and fined.”
The suspects have been detained and are assisting police with investigations.
Elsewhere in Murang’a County, approximately 583 suspects have been arrested during an intensive crackdown to eradicate illicit brew in the county.
The multi-agency operation which began a fortnight ago has seen thousands of litres of illicit brew, second-generation liquor and ethanol confiscated.
According to Murang’a County Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha, 270 cases have already been concluded and the rest are waiting for the results of the samples from the government chemist.
The commissioner said the multi-agency team comprised security agents, officers from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and anti-counterfeit agency.
“There was a directive from the national government that we should step up the fight against alcoholism and thus we launched the Rapid Result Initiative,” the commissioner said.
Further, Nkanatha said the suspects whose cases have been concluded in the courts have paid fines amounting to Ksh7,199,000.
The commissioner said the fight is far from over, adding that they will move to every corner of the county and ensure they flush out both the manufacturers and sellers of the illicit liquor.
“This is a war we cannot afford to lose and we will do our best to ensure we fight the menace,” the Commissioner stated.
