Four Gatundu North CDF officials arrested for demanding Ksh.300,000 bribe

Four members of the Gatundu North Constituency National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) Committee have been arrested over allegations of extorting Ksh.300,000 from a contractor in exchange for approving payment for completed school projects.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) said the suspects were apprehended on Wednesday following an operation mounted at Karure Primary School.

Those arrested are Annah Mugure Njoroge, Susan Wanjiru Muchiri, Stephen Waititu Mungai and James Kibe Ngige.

According to the commission, it received a complaint that the four officials had demanded a bribe to authorise payment of Ksh.9.1 million owed to a contractor for works undertaken at Karure Primary School in Gatundu North.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the contractor had completed three projects at the institution, including construction of a modern kitchen, levelling and landscaping works, and renovation of an administration block alongside six classrooms.

The works were finalised on January 31, 2026, after which the contractor formally sought payment.

However, the committee members allegedly blocked the disbursement, citing unresolved issues that were not specified.

The EACC stated that on February 23, 2026, the complainant met three of the suspects, who reportedly demanded Ksh.300,000 to refrain from raising objections that would stall the release of the funds.

Two days later, on February 25, 2026, anti-graft officers conducted an operation at Karure Primary School, where the suspects were arrested while allegedly receiving Ksh.250,000 from the contractor.

The four were escorted to the Integrity Centre for processing before being booked at Kilimani Police Station.

They were later released on cash bail of Ksh.40,000 each pending completion of investigations.