Suspects posing as KEBS officials arraigned

Tabitha Wangeci Kwena and Wycliffe Nyamanya at the Mombasa Law Court in Mombasa County.  [Kelvin Karani, Standard]

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested two individuals for allegedly masquerading as Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) officers in Bamburi, Mombasa.

On Tuesday evening, the commission arrested Tabitha Wangeci and Wycliffe Nyamanya for extorting shop owners in Mombasa.

The suspects are believed to be consumer protection officers from the Multi-Works and Rights Enforcement agency.

According to an EACC report, the suspects, accompanied by uniformed police officers, were inspecting goods in shops within the Bamburi area. They allegedly arrested, detained, and extorted shop owners, claiming the shops were selling expired goods.

The duo reportedly demanded bribes ranging from Sh20,000 to Sh50,000.

The two are also accused of misleading police officers into believing they were genuine KEBS officials while on official duty.

EACC then launched an operation at Kadzandani Mwatamba Police Station, where the detained shop owners were being held and extorted.

According to the anti-graft agency, investigations revealed that the suspects had engaged in similar activities in other parts of the country.

KEBS had earlier raised concerns about fraudsters conducting illegal product inspections in retail outlets, violating the Standards Act.

“KEBS has received numerous complaints against the above-mentioned organization from retailers across the country. The complaints include invasion of business premises, seizure of goods, on-the-spot fines, solicitation of bribes, and detention of individuals to extort ransom money,” the Standards Bureau said in a notice.

The Anti-Counterfeit Authority also warned about individuals harassing business owners under the pretense of enforcing the anti-counterfeit act.

“The agency mentioned operates under a power of attorney and assignment mandates issued by Hannida Care Product Manufacturers, a company based in the Industrial Area, Nairobi. While they have specific responsibilities towards the brand, they are not ACA counterfeit inspectors,” it said.

KEBS and the Anti-Counterfeit Authority have urged the public to remain vigilant and promised legal action against the suspects.

The suspects were arraigned at the Mombasa Law Court today.