Kamuzu Banda, MPRSK

EACC ARRESTS KENYA POWER OFFICIAL OVER BRIBERY The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) yesterday arrested an employee of the Kenya Power & Lighting Company (KPLC) attached to the Mbale-Vihiga Office following investigations into bribery allegations. The suspect, Kennedy Wambani Oduor, was arrested following allegations of soliciting and receiving a Kes 20,000 bribe. The matter arose after God’s Vision for Africa in Vihiga reported a damaged and dangerous electricity pole near its premises in October 2022. Despite several reports made to KPLC, no action was taken, prompting the organization to replace the rotten pole through a private contractor to avert the risk of electrocution and fire. Investigations established that Mr. Oduor allegedly became agitated over the replacement and threatened to disconnect the organization’s power supply unless he was paid a bribe of Kes 50,000. The matter was subsequently reported to EACC, which commenced investigations. Following preliminary findings, the Commission mounted an operation that led to the arrest of the suspect while receiving Kes 20,000. Upon conclusion of investigations, the file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who approved bribery charges against the suspect under Section 6(1)(a) as read together with Section 18(1) and (2) of the Anti-Bribery Act, No. 47 of 2016. The suspect was booked at Kisumu Central Police Station and arraigned before the Kisumu Anti-Corruption Court on 7 May 2026. He was later released by the court on a cash bail of Kes 200,000 with a surety of a similar amount.