Authorities from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have detained a Kenya Power worker over allegations of soliciting a bribe from a Runda Mumwe resident to reconnect electricity.
The meter reader, assigned to the Runda sector, is said to have requested Sh300,000 from the complainant on January 24, claiming it was necessary to restore power.
EACC investigations revealed that the official threatened the resident with a Sh2,000,000 electricity bill if he refused to pay the amount. The case followed an earlier disconnection on October 25, 2025, when the officer alleged the estate had an illegal connection.
Kenya Power records, however, showed that the resident had cleared all dues at the time of the incident. Alarmed by the alleged extortion, the resident reported the matter to the Commission on February 27, leading to a thorough investigation.
It was later discovered that the officer had already collected Sh180,000 from the complainant.
After being arrested, the suspect was taken to the Integrity Centre for processing and subsequently held at Kilimani Police Station overnight. He was released the next morning on a cash bail of Sh50,000, with investigations still ongoing.
In a statement, the EACC stressed its commitment to curbing corruption at service points, noting that bribery undermines service quality and public confidence.
“The Commission reiterates its commitment to tackling bribery at service delivery points and enhancing the quality of public services for all citizens,” the agency said.
This development aligns with broader government and Commission efforts to reinforce transparency in public utilities under the #TuangamizeUfisadi initiative. The day before, the Commission recovered 0.074 acres of illegally grabbed land in Nyeri valued at Sh12 million, highlighting continued nationwide anti-corruption measures.
