In a significant development in the fight against corruption, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recommended the prosecution of several high-profile individuals, including current and former public officials.
This comes in the wake of the agency’s third quarterly report for 2024, which covers investigations conducted between July 1 and September 30.
The EACC’s report details extensive investigations into various counties and state officials, revealing a complex web of money trails and proxy companies used to siphon public funds. The files have been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for further action.
Among those facing prosecution are Wajir County Governor Mohamed Abdi Mohamud, his wife Kheira Omar Maalim, and their daughter Farhiya Abdi Mohamud. The EACC accuses the trio of abuse of office and conflict of interest involving Ksh 902.4 million linked to 12 companies associated with the family during the 2017/18 financial year.
Additionally, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss is also under scrutiny for her role in the irregular procurement of a fully furnished residential property for the Chief Justice during her tenure as Chief Registrar of the Judiciary. She faces charges alongside the former director of supply chain management, the former director of finance, and three members of the Judiciary Tender Committee.
The report further highlights alleged irregular payments in the construction of prefabricated courts under the Judicial Service Commission, implicating former Elgeyo Marakwet County Governor Alex Tolgos and several officials from his administration, including his political advisor and the county procurement manager. Tolgos is accused of awarding tenders to Kobcom Petroleum Limited, a company he is linked to, despite its failure to meet qualifications. The company reportedly received Ksh 1.7 million over three financial years.
The EACC is also targeting several officials from the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA). Joel Mutambu Kilonzi, a regional accountant currently stationed in Lamu, and his wife, Felistus Ndunge, face allegations of conflict of interest amounting to Ksh 108.5 million, alongside other officials within the agency. Esther Wanjiru Chege, an accountant with KERRA in Kajiado, and her husband, Robert Kimotho Macharia, are implicated in a separate conflict of interest case involving Ksh 18 million, bringing the total amount flagged in their case to Ksh 273.2 million.
Overall, the EACC has flagged cases amounting to Ksh 2.048 billion for prosecution, highlighting the ongoing challenges in the fight against corruption in Kenya. The commission’s efforts aim to restore public trust and ensure accountability among public officials.
