Police officer, journalist and government officials in attempted extortion scam

Nakuru West Sub County Police Patrick Olonyi with KUJ Nakuru Secretary General Kioko Kivandi addressing the press at Kaptembwo Police Station on August 6, 2019. [Kennedy Gachuhi, Standard].

Two journalists are among six suspects arrested for allegedly attempting to extort Sh200,000 from a businessman.

A police officer, a county askari, a hospital cleaner and an official from the Department of Registrar of Persons are also being held in connection with the extortion claim.

Nakuru West sub-county Police Commander Patrick Olonyi said the six were arrested at a quarry operated by Asians, who they accused of lacking legal documents to work in the country.

“We were alerted by the businessman, who said the suspects had identified themselves as officers from the Immigration Department," said Olonyi.

He said if the businessman and his crew gave sufficient proof in time, the suspects would be arraigned within a day.

The suspects are said to have arrived at the quarry in a vehicle belonging to the police officer.

As the probe continues, the Kenya Union of Journalists, Nakuru branch Secretary General Kioko Kivandi has protested the arrest, saying the scribes "were in the line of duty".

The police equally said they were investigating the foreigners' papers.