A senior Kenya power official arrested by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in Kwale for allegedly demanding a bribe has been charged.
Appearing before Kwale Anti-Corruption Court, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
He was released on a bond of Sh1 million or cash bail of Sh350,000.
The case will be mentioned on April 8, 2024, while a hearing has been set for June 25, 2024.
The Kenya Power official is based in Diani, Kwale County.
He was apprehended by EACC officers from Mombasa.
The officer was arrested on allegations of receiving a bribe of sh100,000 for electricity reconnection.
It is alleged that the KPLC employee had already received Sh70,000 in advance.
The accused is a Debt Controller at the Ukunda KPLC substation.
EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi said that the suspect was apprehended after the Commission received concurrence from the Director of Public Prosecutions to charge him with the offences.
"Investigations commenced upon receipt of allegations that Evans Otieno Ochieng, the KPLC Kwale Debts Controller, based at Ukunda Office, solicited a financial benefit of Sh 00,000/= as an inducement to reconnect a power meter,” he said through a report.
The accused had disconnected power on October 18, 2021, due to accrued bills at Pine Grove Estate.
Ngumbi encouraged members of the public to continue exposing public officials who extort money from citizens to provide public services.
“We ask Kenyans to report anyone soliciting money to offer public services,” he said.
The suspect is expected to appear in Kwale Law Court to take a plea.
