The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has taken action against three Ministry of Labour officials stationed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) over allegations of extorting money from agents assisting migrant workers traveling to the Middle East. The arrests were made on 30th November 2025 after a complaint was formally reported to the Commission.
According to EACC findings, the officials were suspected of routinely requesting illegal payments from agents before migrant workers could be cleared for departure. Surveillance conducted by the Commission reportedly confirmed that agents were being asked to pay a fee of KES 500 per worker during the clearance process.
“EACC officers conducted surveillance and confirmed that, indeed, agents sending migrant workers to the Middle East were paying Kes500 per worker before the workers were cleared to travel,” EACC statement indicated in part.
The arrests occurred during an operation carried out in collaboration with an agent who had 78 migrant workers set to depart for the Middle East. At the Labour desk, the three officers allegedly calculated and demanded a total of Kes 34,000, which the agent handed over. EACC investigators moved in immediately, arrested the officials, and recovered the money.
The suspects – Benson Ouma Okello, Esther Njoki Gakuru, and Denis Marias – were taken to Integrity Centre for processing and statement recording. They are expected to be released on a cash bail of Kes 50,000 each as investigations continue.
EACC reaffirmed its commitment to cracking down on bribery and corruption at public service points, emphasizing that eliminating such practices is critical to restoring public trust and ensuring fair, efficient service delivery for all Kenyans.