The (DCI) has confirmed they are holding up to 15 people linked with the passport issuance scam.

The DCI carried out the operation to arrest the suspects following the directive by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kindiki Kithure that investigations be conducted following numerous public complaints.

While 15 are in custody, the detectives are on the lookout for more people believed to be culprits carrying out the scam.

“In the ongoing operation, which was launched on Monday, October 2, 2023, six (6) Department of Immigration Services staff, including an intern, and nine (9) suspected brokers have been arrested, while the manhunt for more suspects who got wind of the operation and ran into hiding continues,” DCI said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.

The DCI – terming the suspects as rogue – also said members of the public have been forced to pay to get the vital document.

“In the classic case of grand corruption, members of the public and foreigners seeking passports and work permits, respectively, have been forced to part with huge sums of money to access services after the rogue officials took advantage of a temporary system downtime to satisfy their sheer greed for extras,” the statement continued.

“This included Mr. Nicodemus Muide, Aloise Gitonga Kiura, Stephen Makokha, Mohamud Khalif Maalim, 38 (a broker), and Esther Ogega Nyambura, aka Pauline Nyangara Ogega, aka Carol, aka Purity, who is an intern at the department,” DCI stated.

One suspect, during interrogation, fell ill, had to be taken to the hospital, and was released on bail as the investigation continued.

“Confronted by the facts of the allegations laid against him, Mr. Muide unfortunately fell ill and was rushed to AAR Hospital along Kiambu Road, where he was diagnosed with a heart attack and high sugar levels.

“He was released on bail to continue with treatment as detectives sought custodial orders for the rest of the suspects at Kahawa Law Courts to complete investigations,” the Kiambu Road-based authority said.