DCI: Four people suspected of soliciting bribes at Nyayo House arrested

Long queues witnessed at Immigration Department at Nyayo house, Nairobi. [Edward Kiplimo/Standard

Four people are in police custody after being suspected of soliciting bribes and defrauding Kenyans seeking immigration services at the department's headquarters, Nyayo House, Nairobi.

Josphat Khamandi Manyonyi, Howard Tsimbagi alias Button, Ahmed Ibrahim Sheikh and Hassan Mohamed Hosman were arrested by sleuths from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations who had pitched camp at the busy government office for days.

"On 25th August 2023 officers from the DCI - Immigration conducted the above operation. The objective of the operation was to arrest brokers who take advantage of members of the public and solicit bribes for otherwise free services," DCI said in a statement sent to newsrooms.

They were later booked at the Central Police Station under the offence of preparation to commit a felony and conspiracy to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

The suspects phones were confiscated and are currently being analysed to support the investigations underway before arraignment in court.

"These efforts will be undertaken regularly," DCI warned.

Last week, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki acknowledged that corruption was deeply embedded at the immigration office, promising to clean up the mess once and for all while declaring it a crime scene.

There has been a public outcry concerning the inefficiency in service delivery and corruption at the Immigration department where thousands flock to majorly renew or get new travel documents.