The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Sunday arrested three government officials for allegedly extorting migrant workers.
The three officials based at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) were nabbed for allegedly extorting agents facilitating migrant workers travelling to the Middle East.
This followed a report to the Commission alleging that State officials at JKIA routinely solicit and receive bribes for each migrant worker travelling to the Middle East, prompting the commencement of an inquiry.
“EACC officers conducted surveillance and confirmed that, indeed, agents sending migrant workers to the Middle East were paying Sh500 per worker before the workers were cleared to travel,” EACC said in a statement.
“On November 30, 2025, the Commission carried out an operation in collaboration with one of the agents who had 78 migrant workers travelling to the Middle East. At JKIA, the agent met the three, and after tabulating the total amount, the officers demanded and received Sh4,000,” the statement by EACC claimed.
EACC investigators immediately moved in, arrested the suspects, and allegedly recovered the Sh34,000 from them.
The three suspects were escorted to the Integrity Centre for processing and statement recording and were released on a cash bail of Sh50,000 each, pending completion of the investigation.
“The Commission reiterates its commitment to tackling bribery at service delivery points to restore public trust and improve access to quality services for all citizens,” EACC added.
There have been complaints at JKIA about state officials who target workers departing the country to the Middle East, with some said to have missed their flights due to a lack of clearance.
Some of those unable to give bribes have been stranded at JKIA, forcing them to spend extra money on purchasing new air tickets.
In October 2023, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) launched an investigation into bribery allegations at JKIA after a passenger reported extortion attempts by airport staff.
KAA Chairman Caleb Kositany then said, the government is taking these claims seriously and has initiated a thorough investigation into the matter.
The passenger had raised concerns that individuals with tourist visas were being subjected to harassment and being demanded to pay bribes before being allowed to board flights, particularly to Canada.
