Two police officers were apprehended by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for allegedly stealing Ksh57,000 from an Al Shabaab suspect during the arrest. Additionally, another officer is said to have demanded Ksh50,000 in exchange for releasing the suspect.
The accused were taken before the Isiolo Anti-Corruption Court on Monday, February 26, where they faced charges of bribery and robbery with violence.
As per the official statement released by the anti-graft body, David Irungu and Hassan Liban Hassan, both security officers, apprehended an individual suspected of affiliation with the prohibited terrorist organization Al Shabaab. Allegedly, during the arrest, the two officers seized Ksh57,000 in cash from the detained Al Shabaab suspect. Following the detention, the officers, stationed at Merti Sub-County within Isiolo, purportedly demanded Ksh50,000 for the release of the individual.
"The police officers demanded a bribe of Ksh50,000 from a suspect they had arrested and detained for allegedly being a member of the outlawed Al-Shabaab Association as a condition for releasing the suspect. The police officers, while armed with a rifle, frisked the complainant and robbed him of an additional Ksh57,000," EACC's statement read in part.
Having pleaded not guilty to the charges of bribery and robbery with violence, the defendants were released on bail, with options including a cash bail of Ksh300,000 or a surety bond of Ksh500,000. Their next court appearance is set for May 27, but it remains unclear whether they will be allowed to resume their law enforcement duties during the ongoing legal proceedings.
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