On Monday, a major operation took place at Nyayo House when the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) swooped in, arresting several suspects. This operation was spearheaded by the Transnational Organised Crime unit of the DCI, aiming to clamp down on a burgeoning passport issuance corruption scandal within the Department of Immigration Services.
Of the myriad individuals implicated, 15 were apprehended. These arrests were the culmination of meticulous tracking, detailed forensic examinations, and profiling conducted over several days. In the initial phase of the operation, four employees from the Department of Immigration Services and one broker were taken into custody for further interrogation. A dramatic turn of events unfolded when one of the accused, faced with the overwhelming evidence against him, suffered a medical emergency. The DCI’s statement elucidated on this, stating that the said individual, when confronted with the allegations, had a sudden health decline. Immediate medical attention was sought, and he was transported to AAR Hospital situated on Kiambu Road. Upon examination, the suspect was diagnosed with a heart attack, compounded by elevated blood sugar levels. Given the gravity of his condition, he was granted bail to continue receiving necessary medical care. Fortunately, as per the latest updates, his health has shown signs of improvement.
Later that very day, DCI detectives widened the scope of their operation, carrying out additional raids both at Nyayo House and within the Central Business District. These operations yielded more suspects, including another staff member and eight brokers, who were then brought in for extensive questioning. These individuals stood accused of unethical practices, where they demanded exorbitant sums from those seeking passports and work permits. Their modus operandi became more audacious during a temporary system downtime, which they exploited to further their nefarious activities. It was revealed that these corrupt officials would strategically place brokers within the facility’s vicinity. These brokers would then prey on desperate applicants, especially those with emergency needs or influential individuals willing to pay a premium for preferential treatment, sidelining ordinary Kenyans who followed proper procedures.
Further investigations revealed a deep-seated web of corruption. Mobile money and bank transactions of the suspects painted a vivid picture of how funds were funneled to the immigration officers and their intermediaries. This financial trail, the DCI believes, will prove pivotal in presenting an irrefutable case during the prosecution phase.
Interestingly, these arrests followed closely on the heels of unscheduled visits made by Interior CS Kithure Kindiki to Nyayo House and other affiliated Immigration offices. His aim was clear – to rid the system of its inherent inefficiencies and corrupt elements. The effectiveness of his drive was evident when, shortly after these visits, four individuals were arrested for loitering and creating hindrances for passport applicants. In a show of efficiency, over 20,000 pending passport applications were promptly processed. Kindiki, resolute in his commitment, proclaimed, “We will eradicate this place of corruption networks. Those found seeking bribes will face the full force of the law. I want to unequivocally state that this institution is no haven for corrupt practices.”