A police officer has been arrested for the offence of receiving a bribe from an illicit brew trader in Kahawa West, Nairobi.
The officer, Abdi Kiano based at Kahawa West Police Station, was arrested by detectives attached to the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) on Tuesday evening, March 5, 2024.
In a statement, EACC said the officer had demanded and received the bribe from the businesswoman as ‘protection fees’ to allow her to operate the illegal business without interference.
“EACC has this evening arrested Police Officer No. 226374 Cpl Abdi Kiano based at Kahawa West Police Station in Nairobi for demanding and receiving a bribe from a local trader as “protection fees” to allow her to operate the business of selling illicit brew (chang’aa),” EACC said.
The suspect was booked at Kilimani Police Station pending further action.
Crackdown on illicit brew
Kiano’s arrest comes amid a heightened crackdown on the manufacture and sale of illicit liquor in the country.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been on the frontline in the fight against drug and alcohol abuse in the country.
The country’s second in command is today expected to announce new measures aimed at combating the sale and consumption of Illicit alcohol in the country.
Last month, the DP said police officers will not be allowed to own bars in the country due to what he termed as a clear conflict of interest.
“So I want to announce here on behalf of the president. If you are a police officer and you own a bar. Resign and run the bar. Or stop operating the bar and continue working in the service,” Gachagua stated.
The deputy president spoke during the funeral service of 17 people who died after consuming illicit liquor at Kangai and Kandongu villages in Kirinyaga County.
The liquor was part of exhibits seized from local illicit brew traders that were being stored at the Kiamaciri Police Station.
