Kenya’s Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) arrested three officials from the Ministry of Labour at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for allegedly extorting agents facilitating migrant workers destined for the Middle East.
A statement issued by the anti-graft on its Facebook page revealed that the November 30, 2025, incident came after it had received concrete evidence of persistent extortion by the officers.
“This followed a report to the Commission alleging that Ministry of Labour officials at JKIA routinely solicit and receive bribes for each migrant worker travelling to the Middle East, prompting the commencement of an inquiry,” EACC noted.
“EACC officers conducted surveillance and confirmed that, indeed, agents sending migrant workers to the Middle East were paying KSh 500 per worker before the workers were cleared to travel.”
According to the EACC, the three suspects, who have been identified as Benson Ouma Okello, Esther Njoki Gakuru, and Denis Marias, had demanded a bribe from an agent who was clearing 78 workers to the Middle East and had already syphoned KSh. 34,000 out of the deal.
But after the arrest, the EACC seized the amount as an exhibit and took the suspects to the Integrity Centre for processing of a statement and recording. The trio were released on a cash bail of KSh. 50,000 each, pending completion of the investigation.
