A dramatic arrest operation involving a senior Nyamira County Assembly official has set social media abuzz after a viral video captured him allegedly hiding in the ceiling of his house in a desperate attempt to avoid arrest by officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
The incident, which unfolded on Tuesday, June 30, has left many Kenyans both amused and stunned by the extraordinary lengths the county official allegedly went to in an effort to evade investigators.
The man at the center of the drama is Leonard Kevin Nyamasege, the Nyamira County Assembly Deputy Clerk and Director of Finance and Accounts. EACC detectives had reportedly visited his residence to arrest him over allegations of procurement irregularities linked to the award of a tender for the construction of an office block at the County Assembly.
According to investigators, the moment Kevin noticed the officers outside his home, he allegedly rushed indoors and climbed into the ceiling, hoping the hiding spot would keep him out of sight.
However, his plan did not go as expected.
Investigators reportedly reviewed CCTV footage around the property, which allegedly revealed his movements and led them to the exact spot where he was hiding. Once they realized he was in the ceiling, officers patiently persuaded him to come down instead of risking injury.
The now-viral video shows a tense but somewhat humorous scene as one EACC officer calmly guided the county official to safety.
«”Step here. Don’t hurt yourself. Do it slowly, no rush. Come down, I’ll hold you steady,” the officer is heard saying as Kevin carefully climbed down from the ceiling.»
Another officer could not hide his disbelief at the unusual turn of events and questioned why the suspect had chosen such an embarrassing escape attempt.
«”Why go through all this embarrassment? And you’re an Arsenal fan. Arsenal fans don’t do these things,” the officer joked, drawing laughter from those present.»
After safely descending, Kevin was immediately taken into custody to face investigations over the alleged procurement scandal.
The case revolves around the alleged irregular award of a KSh 30.2 million tender for the construction of an office block at the Nyamira County Assembly. Investigators are probing whether procurement laws were violated during the tendering process.
Reports further indicate that detectives recovered more than KSh 300,000 in cash from the county official’s vehicle during the operation, although investigators have not publicly disclosed whether the money is directly connected to the ongoing investigations.
Meanwhile, the dramatic footage has spread rapidly across social media platforms, with thousands of Kenyans sharing humorous reactions and memes about the unusual arrest. Others, however, noted that the incident highlights the seriousness of the corruption allegations facing public officials and emphasized that those accused should allow the legal process to take its course instead of attempting to evade arrest.
As investigations continue, the viral ceiling escape has become one of the country’s most talked-about moments, turning what began as a routine arrest operation into an unforgettable spectacle that has captivated Kenyans online.
