A senior official working at the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) headquarters in Nairobi has been arrested over claims that he sought money from a matatu driver in exchange for helping him secure a driving licence.
The officer, identified as Joseph Njoroge Kihuna, was apprehended by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) after a driver reported that he had allegedly been asked to pay KSh 18,000 to facilitate the processing of the document.According to the commission, investigators launched an operation after receiving the complaint. Their efforts led to Kihuna’s arrest at the NTSA headquarters in Nairobi.
During the operation, the officer was allegedly caught receiving KSh 8,000 through M-Pesa. Investigators suspect that the amount was part of the KSh 18,000 he had allegedly demanded from the driver to help him obtain the licence.
Following his arrest, Kihuna was escorted to the Integrity Centre for processing as investigators continued examining the allegations.
He was subsequently released on a cash bail of KSh 50,000 as the inquiry continued.
The EACC has yet to disclose the final findings of the investigation or confirm whether additional individuals are being examined in connection with the case.The incident comes amid ongoing efforts by authorities to curb corruption and ensure that public institutions provide services fairly. Government employees are expected to perform their duties honestly and refrain from soliciting unauthorised payments from members of the public.
The NTSA oversees road transport activities in Kenya, including road safety, driver regulation and the issuance of driving licences. Applicants are required to follow established procedures and pay only the officially approved charges when seeking these services.
Allegations of bribery involving public officers can undermine trust in government institutions and place an unfair financial burden on citizens seeking essential services.The EACC investigates suspected corruption and pursues appropriate legal action where evidence supports further proceedings.
Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected wrongdoing to help authorities address corrupt practices.