Philip Otieno is handcuffed by an EACC detective following his arrest at Mombasa Port on Monday. [Photo/the-star.co.ke]
Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) detectives on Monday arrested an official of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for allegedly soliciting Sh800,000 bribe to release a container at the Mombasa Port.
According to The Star, Philip Otieno, a senior officer in charge of scan systems, asked for the said cash to release the container as indicated in documents signed on September 30, 2017, at 1.30pm.
An EACC officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that several officials from the authority risk arrest over the tax evasion ploy.
He also revealed that the official was arrested with cash in different denominations.
"This is a serious matter. I assure you that several might be arrested over the same. Otieno's arrest is a plus for us. He was caught with some dollars and local currency," he told the Star.
Confirming the arrest, Mombasa deputy EACC boss Salat Ali said that the official’s details have been handed to the Nairobi’s office pending investigations in the matter.
"We have handed over the report and our communication team at Nairobi headquarters will be releasing it soon," he said.
The arrest comes at a time when KRA has issued a warning to tax evaders.