An employee of the Domestic Taxes Department at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has been arraigned over charges of soliciting Ksh5 million bribe.
According to a statement from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP), the suspect identified as David Omondi Omogo was arraigned at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.
Four charges were levelled against the KRA official for soliciting a bribe.
“David Omondi Omogo, an employee of the Domestic Taxes Department at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), was today arraigned at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on four charges of receiving a bribe, in violation of Section 6(1)(a) as read with Section 18 of the Anti-Bribery Act No. 47 of 2016,” ODPP’s statement read in part.
According to ODPP, the suspect promised to influence the reduction of Ksh25 million tax arrears owned by a firm.
Before cutting the deal, the suspect reportedly requested for Ksh5 million for the facilitation process.
“The charges allege that Omogo solicited a financial bribe of Ksh 5 million from Pascal Ovinda Purporting to influence a reduction in tax arrears owed by Infinity Benefits Limited to the Kenya Revenue Authority, totalling Ksh25,213,378,” the statement added.
Denies charges
The KRA official however denied the charges levelled against him. However, Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzyoki released him on Ksh3 million cash bail or a bond of Ksh6 million.
During the release, Magistrate Nzyoki ordered the KRA official to surrender his passport.
He was further directed not to interfere with witnesses.
“Appearing before Chief Magistrate Thomas Nzyoki, Omogo pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on a cash bail of Ksh3 million or a bond of Ksh6 million with one surety of an equivalent amount.
“The Magistrate also ordered that Omogo surrender his passports to the court and refrain from interfering with any witnesses involved in the case,” the ODPP statement further explained.
The case is set for mention on Thursday, August 8, 2024.