The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested Uasin Gishu CEC Member for Lands Janet Kosgei over multiple allegations of extorting money from citizens seeking services in her docket.

Kosgei was arrested by officers from EACC, North Rift Regional Office in Eldoret on Wednesday, December 3 evening.

Confirming the arrest, EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi said that the arrest was part of ongoing investigations into numerous complaints received from members of the public that the CEC Member has been demanding bribes ranging from KSh100,000 to KSh300,000 from each person seeking services on land matters in the county government.

“The suspect allegedly established a culture of demanding to see and authorize all service approvals under processing even where her office has no role, and requires a facilitation fee to be paid to her by each service seeker,” Ngumbi says.

At the time of the arrest, Kosgei had allegedly demanded KSh120,000 from a service seeker in order to append a signature on a land lease document. EACC says she was apprehended after receiving a deposit of KSh50,000 being part of the demanded amount.

Scuffle ensues

A scuffle ensued after two county askaris (enforcement officers, otherwise known as kanjos) — Sergeant Geoffrey Lang’at and Sergeant Jeremiah Kipkemoi attempted to attack the EACC detectives to obstruct the arrest but were effectively neutralized and arrested for the offence of obstruction of EACC officers on lawful duty contrary to the law.

The three suspects were locked up at Eldoret Central Police Station and were on Thursday, December 4 returned to EACC North Rift Regional Offices where they are currently held for processing and statement recording.

This incident is part of wider investigations into public complaints of extortion in the provision of land services in Uasin Gishu County by both National and County Government Officials.