EACC arrests lands official and security guard

Lands Registry offices in Homa Bay town. [James Omoro/Standard]

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officers have arrested two officials at the county's lands registry.

The suspects, a clerk and a security guard, were accused of perpetrating bribery in which residents seeking title deeds were compelled to pay Sh1,000 or more.

The clerk is reported to have been colluding with the security guard to collect the money from every individual who needed the land ownership document.

Upon collecting a reasonable amount of money, the guard would take it to the clerk so he could get his share.

On Wednesday evening, the EACC officials went to the office in disguise and arrested the two.

They were taken to Homa Bay police station.

Charged in court

EACC Deputy Manager in charge of South Nyanza region Arthur Opili said the two would be taken to court.

Mr Opili called on locals to report cases of corruption to enable the EACC to take action against perpetrators.

“I am assuring residents that we will be swift in taking legal action against graft perpetrators,” said Opili.

Residents suspect that the two have been minting a lot of money since the office is always busy between 8am and 5pm during week days.

They expressed concern that corruption in the lands department had made them lose a lot of money.