A Nairobi court has heard how a man allegedly impersonated Head of Public Service Felix Koskei to solicit a Sh10 million bribe from a senior government engineer, with prosecutors securing strict bail terms in the case.
Seth Omosira Osumo pleaded not guilty before Milimani Anti-Corruption Court Senior Principal Magistrate C. A. Okore to three counts, including personating a public officer and bribery.
The charges include personating a person employed in the public service contrary to Section 105(b) of the Penal Code and two counts of bribery under the Anti-Bribery Act.
According to the prosecution, the offences were committed on January 14 and 15, 2026, within Nairobi County.
The court heard that Osumo allegedly presented himself to Engineer Kenneth Njuguna Mbogori as the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, and demanded Sh10 million in exchange for protecting Mbogori’s position as a Regional Director at the Kenya Rural Roads Authority.
The prosecution further told the court that on January 14, 2026, Osumo, being a private individual, requested the Sh10 million bribe from the engineer.
On the following day, January 15, 2026, he allegedly received Sh30,000 from Mbogori with the same intent of influencing the security of his position.
Principal Prosecution Counsel Willy Momanyi applied for stringent bond terms, citing the seriousness of the charges.
He sought orders compelling the accused to provide a contact surety, surrender his passport, and seek court permission before travelling outside the court’s jurisdiction.
The prosecution also requested two weeks to supply the defence with witness statements and documentary exhibits, while opposing the release of two mobile phones seized from the accused, which they intend to rely on as exhibits.
In her ruling, Magistrate Okore upheld the prosecution’s position on the seized devices, stating: “I am satisfied with the explanations given by the prosecution counsel on the issues regarding confiscation of the mobile phones belonging to the accused person.”
The court granted Osumo bond of Sh1 million or an alternative cash bail of Sh300,000. He was ordered to surrender his passport and all travel documents to the court pending the hearing and determination of the case.
The prosecution was directed to supply all witness statements and documentary evidence to the defence within 14 days.
The matter will be mentioned on February 2, 2026, to confirm compliance with pretrial directions and for further orders.
