The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested an employee of the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) attached to the Mbale-Vihiga office, following investigations into alleged bribery.

The suspect, identified as Kennedy Wambani Oduor, was arrested over allegations of soliciting and receiving a Sh20,000 bribe.

According to EACC, the case originated after God’s Vision for Africa, an organisation based in Vihiga County, reported a damaged and potentially dangerous electricity pole near its premises in October 2022.

Despite multiple reports to KPLC, no action was taken, prompting the organisation to replace the rotten pole through a private contractor to prevent possible electrocution and fire hazards.

Investigators say Oduor allegedly became agitated following the replacement and is reported to have threatened to disconnect the organisation’s power supply unless he was paid a Sh50,000 bribe.

The matter was reported to the EACC, which launched investigations and later mounted an operation that led to the arrest of the suspect while allegedly receiving Sh20,000.

“Upon conclusion of investigations, the file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who approved bribery charges against the suspect under Section 6(1)(a) as read together with Section 18(1) and (2) of the Anti-Bribery Act, No. 47 of 2016,” EACC stated.

The suspect was booked at Kisumu Central Police Station and subsequently arraigned before the Kisumu Anti-Corruption Court on May 7, 2026.

He was later released on a cash bail of Sh200,000, with an equivalent surety.