Kilifi County officer arrested for demanding Ksh.435K bribe to approve construction

A building inspector attached to the Kilifi County government has been arrested over allegations of soliciting a bribe to facilitate construction approvals in Watamu.

The suspect, Sylvia Dhahabu Karisa, who works in the approvals section of Watamu Municipality, was apprehended by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) following a complaint from a member of the public.

According to the commission, Karisa allegedly demanded Ksh.435,000 from the complainant to fast-track the issuance of a construction approval.

The complainant reported that county revenue officers had visited his construction site in the Timboni area and issued inflated charges, including Ksh.73,000 for wall construction and Ksh.362,000 for additional structures.

EACC noted that the total amount demanded was deliberately exaggerated for personal gain.

The anti-graft agency launched preliminary investigations after receiving the complaint on March 25, 2026, which confirmed a bribe demand of Ksh.400,000.

This prompted a sting operation a day later, culminating in Karisa’s arrest at the Watamu municipal offices.

She was later escorted to the EACC Upper Coast Regional Office in Malindi for processing before being booked at Malindi Police Station.

The suspect was subsequently released on a cash bail of Ksh.20,000 as investigations continue.