Fifteen individuals, including Department of Immigration Services staff and suspected brokers, are currently in custody as part of an investigation into a passport issuance corruption scandal at Nyayo House, Nairobi.

The operation, initiated on October 2, 2023, has exposed a network of corruption within the department, implicating rogue officials who exploited a temporary system downtime to engage in corrupt practices.

The investigation was prompted by public outrage, which prompted Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Prof Kithure Kindiki, to take swift action.

The suspects include both government employees and individuals acting as intermediaries.

In a textbook example of widespread corruption, the corrupt officials coerced members of the public and foreigners seeking passports and work permits into paying substantial sums for expedited services.

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These officials also planted brokers within the facility to lure and collect money from desperate applicants, including those with urgent needs and individuals who could afford to influence special treatment.

The breakthrough in the case came after days of meticulous forensic analysis and profiling of the identified suspects.

Detectives raided the Department of Immigration Services on Monday, detaining five suspects, which included government employees and brokers.

Among those arrested were Nicodemus Muide, Aloise Gitonga Kiura, Stephen Makokha, Mohamud Khalif Maalim, and Esther Ogega Nyambura, an intern at the department.

Muide, one of the arrested officials, fell ill during the interrogation and was rushed to AAR Hospital along Kiambu Road, where he was diagnosed with a heart attack and high sugar levels.

He was subsequently released on bail to continue treatment.

The remaining suspects were taken into custody at Kahawa Law Courts as investigations continue.

Further operations at Nyayo House and the Central Business District led to the arrest of Joseph Ireri Karani, another staff member, and eight additional brokers.

These brokers were identified as Abdullahi Abdirahman Ali, Bashir Ore Ibrahim, Damaris Kwamboka Bosire, Charles Mucheru Mwangi, George Karancha Obare, Domiciano Makori Oketch, Isaac Mbulo, and Luke Lang’at.

Investigators have uncovered a trail of transactions on the suspects' mobile money and bank accounts, providing compelling evidence of funds being remitted to immigration officers and their intermediaries.

This evidence is expected to strengthen the prosecution's case.

This recent crackdown follows the arrest of four suspects on August 25 for soliciting bribes during the passport issuance process.

These actions were taken after Prof Kindiki made impromptu visits to Nyayo House, expressing his determination to dismantle corruption cartels within the department.

As investigations progress, appropriate charges are being prepared against the suspects, signalling a resolute effort to combat corruption within Kenya's immigration services.