The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested three officials from the Ministry of Labour based at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for allegedly extorting agents facilitating migrant workers travelling to the Middle East.
This followed a report to the Commission alleging that the officers routinely solicit and receive bribes for each migrant worker travelling to the Middle East, prompting the commencement of an inquiry.
EACC officers conducted surveillance and confirmed that, indeed, agents sending migrant workers to the Middle East were paying Ksh500 per worker before the workers were cleared to travel.
“On 30th November 2025, the Commission carried out an operation in collaboration with one of the agents who had 78 migrant workers travelling to the Middle East. At JKIA, the agent met the three Labour Officers manning the booth, and after tabulating the total amount, the officers demanded and received Ksh34,000”, the anti-graft body said in a statement.
During the arrest on Sunday, November 30, the investigators recovered Ksh 34,000 from the suspects, who were later escorted to the Integrity Centre for processing and statement recording.
“EACC investigators immediately moved in, arrested the suspects, and recovered the Ksh34,000 from them. The arrested officials include: Benson Ouma Okello, Esther Njoki Gakuru and Denis Marias,” EACC explained.
They will be released on a cash bail of Ksh50,000 each, pending completion of the investigation.
“The Commission reiterates its commitment to tackling bribery at service delivery points to restore public trust and improve access to quality services for all citizens”, EACC reaffirmed.
