In a major crackdown on corruption within the public sector, detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have arrested four individuals attached to the National Treasury’s Pensions Department over a multi-million-shilling bribery scandal.

The arrested individuals include two Senior Pensions Officers—Henry Odhaimbo Otira and Catherine Muthoni Murage—Chief Clerical Officer Byrson Mark, and Wilkens Muhando Mugatsia, an intern. The quartet stands accused of soliciting bribes from members of the public in exchange for expedited pension services.

According to the EACC, the group is believed to have extorted more than Ksh.10.5 million over a two-year period. Investigators revealed that payments were funneled through a mobile money paybill account allegedly operated by the intern, Wilkens Muhando Mugatsia. Shockingly, the account was found to be registered under Muhando’s mother’s name.

“The officials are alleged to have been demanding bribes through the paybill account in return for offering faster processing of pension claims,” the Commission reported.

EACC’s preliminary investigations unearthed financial transactions totaling Ksh.10,523,044, indicating systemic abuse of office and coordination among the suspects.

Following their arrest, the suspects were processed at Integrity Centre Police Station and are currently being held at Kilimani Police Station as investigations continue.

This latest development highlights ongoing challenges in public sector accountability, particularly in institutions serving vulnerable populations such as pensioners. The EACC has vowed to intensify its efforts in dismantling corruption networks and ensuring justice for affected citizens.