Officer arrested for allegedly demanding Sh40,000 bribe

A police officer has been arrested for allegedly attempting to extort Sh40,000 from a suspect with an outstanding matter.

The complainant (suspect) had been arrested by the police but when the file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions to approve prosecution, it was directed that the complainant be released and the matter settled out of court.

However, the officer allegedly told the complainant that he must pay him "something small" to "facilitate a smooth closure" of the matter.

He is said to have demanded the bribe from the complainant threatening that if the complainant failed to pay, he would charge him in court with new offences.

The complainant reported the matter to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission which conducted an inquiry and later arrested the police officer.

He was escorted to Integrity Centre Police Station where he was processed and later booked at Kilimani Police Station.

The officer has since been released on bail pending the conclusion of the remaining aspects of the investigation.