In a shocking development, a senior officer from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has been apprehended by the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) for accepting a bribe and subsequently releasing a drug peddler without due process.

Chief Inspector Anastacia Kitavi, the deputy DCI boss of Langata Sub-County, was taken into custody on Tuesday following investigations conducted by the IAU. The alleged incident took place during her tenure at Itabua Police Station in Embu back in 2021.

According to the investigation report, Kitavi's subordinates had arrested a suspect in possession of illegal drugs and brought him to the Itabua police station. Instead of following proper procedures, Kitavi purportedly accepted a sum of Sh23,000 from the suspect and released him unconditionally, without levying any charges. Moreover, she unlawfully retained the seized drugs as evidence.

The completed investigation file was subsequently forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for review and advice. On May 16, 2023, the ODPP directed the IAU to charge Chief Inspector Anastacia Kitavi with abuse of office, as per the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (ACECA), specifically sections 46 and 48.

Currently, Kitavi is out on cash bail and is scheduled to appear before the Embu Law Courts on July 11 for arraignment.

In a separate incident last week, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) arrested an assistant chief named John Murutu in Bungoma. Murutu, who served in Sitikho sub-Location of Webuye West sub-County, allegedly demanded a bribe of Sh10,000 to expedite land succession documents for a grieving family.

Upon receiving a complaint from the affected family, the EACC initiated an investigation, which substantiated the claims of bribery against the local administrator. Murutu was caught red-handed while receiving the bribe and was subsequently escorted to the EACC Bungoma Office for processing before being presented to the Bungoma Chief Magistrate's Court to face charges.

However, during his arraignment, the chief suddenly fell ill, prompting the court to postpone the plea-taking. He was granted a cash bail of Sh20,000 to allow for his recovery. The case is scheduled to resume on July 5, 2023.