EACC to grill officials from 3 counties over graft allegations

 

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission HQ

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has summoned officials from three counties to record statements over alleged diverse fraudulent schemes.

It is suspected that through the schemes, public funds were allegedly lost.

In a letter seen by the Star, 14 officials from Nakuru County have been invited for the interview and statement recording at the county-based EACC South Rift Regional Offices.

The 14 have been summoned in relation to Sh27 million procurement in the acquisition of sports kits and equipment.

It is suspected that companies allegedly owned by top county officials were irregularly awarded contracts and received payments for the supply of poor-quality equipment.

According to the letter dated August 23, 2024, and bearing the EACC stamp, the statement recording will start on Monday, September 2, to Friday, September 6.

In another letter dated August 30 and addressed to the Bomet County Secretary, 13 officials were summoned.

They will appear before EACC from September 9 to September 13.

They are suspected to have taken part in the alleged misuse of public funds in the Sh373 million procurement of road construction equipment.

This took place during the Financial Year 2022/23.

They are required to carry their original identity cards and certified copies of employment letters. 

Additionally, senior officials from the Baringo County Assembly have also been summoned by the anti-graft body.

This is over the alleged misuse of public funds through illegal payment of allowances arising from the irregular creation of additional Assembly Committees.

The Baringo County Assembly is alleged to have irregularly created four extra committees and split two others into two each, thereby creating six new committees outside the limit established by the law.

This, EACC believes was meant to misuse public funds since each committee has members entitled to sitting allowances.

EACC said some of the County Assembly officials also allegedly misused funds by claiming subsistence allowances for events that were not held.

They will be appearing before EACC detectives in Nakuru on Tuesday, September 3, and Wednesday, September 4, 2024.

by SHARON MWENDE