EACC arrests Mombasa Court Assistant over alleged bribe to conceal court file

18:03:2026: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested a Court Assistant in Mombasa over allegations of soliciting and receiving a bribe, contrary to Section 6(1)(a) as read with Section 18(1) and (2) of the Anti-Bribery Act No. 47 of 2016.

On 13 March 2026, the Commission received a complaint that the suspect, Ben Wambua Muthoka, had solicited a bribe of Kes10,000 from a complainant. Wambua allegedly intended, in return, to conceal or withhold a court file in which the complainant is the accused in an ongoing criminal matter, to delay or frustrate the court process.

The matter was investigated, and on 17 March 2026, EACC officers in Mombasa interviewed the complainant and recorded his statement. Following persistent demands, the complainant, under the guidance of investigators, engaged the suspect in a recorded conversation, during which the bribe demand was confirmed and later reduced to Kes7,000.

The complainant subsequently met the suspect and handed over the agreed amount. EACC officers, who had been monitoring the operation, moved in, arrested the suspect, and recovered the money.

The suspect was taken to the Commission’s Lower Coast Regional Office for further processing and held at Central Police Station, Mombasa, overnight. He has since been released on a police bond of Kes20,000, pending further action.

The Commission reiterates its commitment to combating corruption and urges members of the public to report any instances of bribery or unethical conduct.