In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…
- EACC arrested two suspects in Mombasa for posing as counterfeit inspectors and extorting shop owners.
- The suspects are part of a syndicate that used fake documents and police escorts to conduct illegal raids.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested two individuals in Mombasa suspected of raiding and extorting shop owners under the guise of counterfeit inspections.
The suspects, believed to be part of a five-member syndicate, operate through a private entity known as Multi-Works & Rights Enforcements, posing as Anti-Counterfeit inspectors to extort money from business owners.
The syndicate has previously deceived the National Police Service (NPS) into assigning officers to accompany them during fake raids, using a fraudulent notice published in the Kenya Gazette to give themselves false authority over consumer protection laws.
According to the EACC, the group relied on this fabricated document to carry out these operations.
On the evening of Tuesday, October 8, EACC detectives received complaints from shop owners in the Bamburi area, reporting suspicious individuals accompanied by police officers who were attempting to extort money from them.
The suspects, claiming to inspect goods for counterfeits, handcuffed the shop owners and accused them of selling expired products.
Acting swiftly, EACC officers arrived at the scene, arresting two suspects, Tabitha Wangeci and Wycliffe Nyamanya. However, three other members of the group managed to flee during the commotion.
Shop owners disclosed that the suspects had demanded bribes ranging from Ksh.20,000 to Ksh.50,000 for their release.
The two arrested individuals were taken to Mombasa Central Police Station and arraigned before the Mombasa Anti-Corruption Court, where custodial orders were issued. They are scheduled to appear in court on Friday to take their plea.