HOMA BAY, Kenya – The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested former Likoni District Criminal Investigation Officer (DCIO) Charles Onyango KA’galo over alleged corruption during his tenure.
EACC spokesperson Eric Ngumbi confirmed that KA’galo was apprehended on Tuesday evening at his rural home in Oyugis, Homa Bay County. He is set to appear before the Mombasa Anti-Corruption Court today to face corruption-related charges. Meanwhile, he remains in custody at Port Police Station.
His arrest follows a recent revelation by EACC Chairperson David Oginde, who on January 28 identified the National Police Service (NPS) and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) as among the most corrupt institutions in Kenya. The report highlighted how public officials involve family members in corrupt dealings, using them as proxies.
“We have observed a trend where officials enlist their spouses, children, and relatives to act as intermediaries in corrupt activities,” Oginde stated.
In response, EACC has pledged to deploy officers to targeted institutions to investigate and expose corruption at service points.
“We will place our people in these institutions to observe how services are delivered and uncover any corrupt dealings,” EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud announced.
KA’galo’s arrest is the latest in a series of anti-corruption crackdowns. On January 25, another DCI officer was arrested for allegedly soliciting a Ksh20,000 bribe to compromise a case.
A Transparency International report recently ranked Kenya 126th out of 180 in global corruption perceptions, with urban residents frequently paying bribes in small amounts of Ksh50, Ksh100, and Ksh200.
EACC’s latest efforts aim to curb deep-rooted corruption and bring perpetrators to justice.