The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested and charged Francis Muga Odhiambo, Kisumu County Revenue Officer in charge of Kisumu Bus Park, with soliciting and receiving a KSh 10,000 bribe from a matatu operator, following approval of charges by the DPP.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested and charged Francis Muga Odhiambo, the Revenue Officer in charge of Kisumu Bus Park, over allegations of soliciting and receiving a bribe of KSh 10,000.
Mr Odhiambo was arrested by EACC officers on February 9, 2026, and arraigned before the Kisumu Anti-Corruption Court on February 10, 2026, where he faced a single count of soliciting and receiving a bribe contrary to Section 11(1)(a) of the Bribery Act, 2016.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released on a cash bail of KSh 20,000 or an alternative bond of KSh 50,000. The matter has been scheduled for hearing on February 25, 2026, at the Kisumu Law Courts.
According to the charge sheet, on February 9, 2026, at Kisumu Bus Park, Odhiambo allegedly solicited a bribe of KSh 18,500 from a businessman operating a matatu plying the Kisumu–Kisii route. The officer is accused of threatening to pursue fabricated charges against the complainant unless the bribe was paid.
EACC investigators established that Odhiambo later accepted KSh 10,000 as part payment of the demanded amount, leading to his immediate arrest by the Commission’s detectives. The remaining KSh 8,500 was not paid.
Upon conclusion of investigations, the Commission forwarded the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who reviewed the evidence and approved the recommendation to press criminal charges against the accused.
EACC spokesperson Monica Kirui reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to fighting corruption at all levels. “This arrest demonstrates our resolve to safeguard public resources and ensure accountability in revenue collection,” Kirui said. “Bribery undermines service delivery and public trust. We will continue to act decisively wherever evidence of corruption is established.”
The case has drawn attention to persistent allegations of extortion and rent-seeking at major bus parks and county revenue collection points across Kenya. Matatu operators and small business owners have repeatedly reported demands for unofficial payments to avoid harassment, fabricated charges or loss of operating space.
In Kisumu, the bus park is a critical revenue source for the county government, generating millions monthly from parking fees, licences and permits. The arrest is seen as part of a broader effort to clean up revenue administration following similar EACC operations in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru and Eldoret in recent months.
Odhiambo’s lawyer, who asked not to be named pending court proceedings, maintained his client’s innocence. “Our client denies the allegations and looks forward to clearing his name in court,” the lawyer said. “We are confident the evidence will show he is not guilty of the charges.”
The Kisumu County Government has not issued an official statement on the matter, but county officials confirmed that Odhiambo has been placed on interdiction pending the outcome of the case, in line with public service regulations.
The Directorate of Public Prosecutions, through Kisumu Senior Principal Prosecution Counsel Julius Juma, confirmed the charges were approved after a thorough review of the investigation file. “The DPP is satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to sustain the prosecution,” Juma said. “We will present a strong case when the matter comes up for hearing.”
Anti-corruption campaigners welcomed the arrest as a step toward restoring integrity in county revenue collection. Transparency International Kenya Executive Director Sheila Masiga said: “Bribery at revenue points is a silent tax on ordinary citizens. Cases like this remind us why strong institutions and whistleblower protection are essential.”
The case is among several high-profile bribery prosecutions EACC has pursued in the last year, including arrests of county officials in Kiambu, Machakos and Kakamega over similar allegations. Convictions in such matters remain rare, with many cases dragging on for years due to adjournments and missing witnesses.
As the February 25 hearing approaches, the Kisumu Anti-Corruption Court will determine whether the prosecution’s evidence—including witness statements, recorded conversations and the marked KSh 10,000—meets the threshold to proceed to full trial.
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