By Nelson Musungu, Bungoma
A senior chief in Kakamega County has been arrested by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for allegedly soliciting a bribe from a bereaved family in order to facilitate the processing of an introduction letter necessary for a succession case.
The suspect, identified as Patrick Oyaloh, the Senior Chief of Marama Central Location, was apprehended on Tuesday after reportedly receiving an Sh8, 000 deposit as part of a Sh10, 000 bribe he had demanded.
The payment was meant to facilitate the issuance of an introduction letter required to begin inheritance procedures following the death of the family’s patriarch.
EACC officials from the Western Regional Office carried out the sting operation that led to Oyaloh’s arrest.
He was later processed at the commission’s Bungoma office and booked at Bungoma Central Police Station pending further investigations and arraignment in court.
“Chiefs accounted for 16.2% of all corruption incidents reported within the ministry, trailing only behind police officers at (27.6%) and Kenya Revenue Authority officials at (17.3%)”~ National Ethics and Corruption Survey 2024
The arrest came on the same day the EACC released its 2024 National Ethics and Corruption Survey, which highlighted chiefs as some of the most corrupt officials within the Ministry of Interior and National Administration.
Chiefs accounted for 16.2% of all corruption incidents reported within the ministry, trailing only behind police officers at (27.6%) and Kenya Revenue Authority officials at (17.3%).
Other officials identified in the report include county inspectorate officers (14.6%), lawyers (14.1%), county revenue officers (13.4%), land surveyors (13.3%), and professionals such as doctors, nurses, bankers, and engineers.
Human rights activist Abdala Lupesi, based in Kakamega, welcomed the arrest, describing it as long overdue. He claimed that Chief Oyaloh had faced numerous accusations from residents for alleged bribery, extortion, and intimidation.
“I fully support the move by EACC to arrest the Marama Central Chief. The case of him demanding Sh10, 000 from a grieving family is just one of the many complaints that have been reported against him,” Lupesi said.
He urged the commission to pursue firm legal action against him, arguing that such high-profile arrests would act as a deterrent to other public officials who misuse their positions.
“Even the latest EACC report shows the Ministry of Interior is leading in corruption, and chiefs are at the centre of it. They are extorting money from residents under the guise of offering government services,” he added.
Lupesi also spoke of the emotional impact on the affected family, criticising the chief for exploiting people at their most vulnerable.
He cited additional misconduct by other local chiefs, including a recent case where a chief was fined Sh40,000 or serve a three-month jail term after assaulting a widow.
He further raised alarm over rising cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) linked to some chiefs in the region. “Beyond corruption, some chiefs are now perpetrators of GBV. We call upon all enforcement agencies to continue weeding out such rogue officers who tarnish the image of public service,” he said.
