Peter Odhiambo Agoro, Chairperson of the Consortium of Civil Societies in Kenya, has been released on a Ksh.100,000 cash bail after being arrested on Tuesday for allegedly extorting Ksh.3 million from a State corporation CEO. Agoro was apprehended by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives at a city hotel after reportedly receiving the first installment of Ksh.1.5 million.
Agoro had allegedly agreed to lower the extortion amount to Ksh.2 million, to be paid in two installments: Ksh.1.5 million on Tuesday and Ksh.500,000 at a later date. The CEO, whose identity was not disclosed by the EACC, reported the matter to the commission.
EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi stated that Agoro demanded the bribe as a "facilitation fee" to avoid pursuing and publicizing accusations of procurement irregularities against the CEO. Agoro, after recording a statement at EACC headquarters, denied the accusations, claiming that his arrest was an attempt to silence activists fighting against corruption.
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Agoro has been instructed to return to the EACC in two weeks. Ngumbi confirmed Agoro's release on Wednesday, adding that investigations are ongoing and the case file will be sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) once complete.
Ngumbi also issued a warning to rogue civil society members who misuse their positions by gathering information to blackmail government officials for financial gain, vowing that the EACC would investigate and act on such cases.
