The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is investigating ten Turkana County officials over alleged embezzlement of Ksh600 million.
In a statement, the EACC said the county officials are linked to a corruption scheme involving procurement fraud.
Earlier, the commission also froze Ksh180 million in bank accounts belonging to a security warden at the county government.
“Previously, the Commission obtained a court order dated March 3, freezing Ksh 180 million in bank accounts belonging to a Security Warden at the County Government and his associated companies,” the statement reads.
The County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Finance, along with other officials, is accused of doing business with the county using several companies that received over Ksh600 million in payments for the alleged procurement of goods and services during the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 financial years.
According to the EACC, during the raid, investigators found Ksh6.5 million in cash inside a car owned by the CEC, raising more questions about how he got the money.
“Today’s operations have yielded valuable evidentiary material to support the ongoing investigations, including Ksh 6.5 million in cash recovered inside CEC motor vehicles. The money is suspected to be proceeds of corruption.”
Other officials under investigation include the Chief Officer for Municipalities and Urban Management, the Chief Officer for Roads and Transport, the Director of Procurement, a Senior Accountant, and the Cleaning Supervisor in Turkana County.
Also caught up in the scandal are the spouse of one of the officials, who works as a Security Warden for the county, the former Assistant Director of Accounting, and two businessmen.
“The suspects are alleged to have abused their positions of trust and authority to embezzle public funds through collusion, procurement fraud, bribery, and payment for fictitious contracts,” EACC said.
According to the EACC, the suspects will be escorted to government offices in Lodwar to record statements.
“Upon completion of the inquiry, the outcome will inform appropriate action which may include prospection of any culpable person, recovery of unexplained wealth and proceeds of corruption,” the statement added.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE