By Antynet Ford
Eleven counties are being probed by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over financial malpractices that resulted in a loss of Sh6.3 billion.
The financial report by EACC for 2023/2024 indicates that offenses by counties range from using proxies to conflict of interests.
EACC reported procurement irregularities by the counties leading to the siphoning of the devolved units’ money.
The Anti-corruption Commission Chair observed that several counties have enrolled their family members as conduits of loss of public funds in the devolved units.
“We have observed an emerging pattern where public officials are enrolling close family members as conduits for theft of public funds thus negating the divine role of the family as the foundation of virtues. We call upon family members to refuse to be enlisted in corrupt deals. Instead, parents should take up their roles in shaping societal morality,” Oginde stated.
Kajiado County leads with the highest loss of Sh2.2 billion loss between 2013/14 and 2022/23 being probed.
The loss relates to an inquiry into allegations of conflict of interest by senior county officials who allegedly failed to declare conflicts of interest when awarding tenders to companies associated with them.
West Pokot led by Simon Kachapin is under probe for a loss of Sh1 billion due to a conflict of interest against four county officials who received tender awards for proxies between 2013 and last year January.
The EACC report also indicated that Ochilo Oyacko’s administration is facing a probe over the misappropriation of Sh140 million due to procurement irregularities in the proposed drilling and equipping of solar-powered boreholes in several wards within the county.
The Sakaja-led administration is also being investigated after it paid Sh93 million to 13 companies that did not supply any goods or services.
The payments were made in the 2021/22 and 2022/2023 financial years.
The Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company under Nairobi is also being investigated for the loss of Sh16 million due to the falsification of academic documents to secure senior positions within the company.
EACC is also probing Vihiga County over embezzlement of Sh200 million and conflict of interest against a Member of the County Assembly and their spouse who are employed by the county.
Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi and his associates are also facing an active investigation into the misappropriation of Sh150 million in the supply of food rations to the communities in the financial years 2022/2023.
In Marsabit county, the anti-graft commission said the current governor Mohamud Ali is facing a probe over a conflict of interest in the award of tenders worth Sh99 million to three contractors between financial years 2017/2018 and 2023/2024; while in Nyeri, Mutahi Kahiga is facing an inquiry into allegations of conflict of interest against county officials in relation to the awards of tenders to proxy companies between the years of 2014 to 2023.
Garissa under Governor Nathif Adam is being investigated for the loss of funds due to procurement irregularities in single sourcing of ambulance services from Emergency plus Medical Services in the financial year 2022/2023.
The county is also facing a separate probe over the misappropriation of Sh128 million for the award of a contract to Aram Investment Limited for the extension of the county headquarters in the 2022/2023 financial year.
The Kilifi county government is also facing an inquiry into the loss of Sh104 million during the financial year 2022/2023 for the installation of an Integrated Revenue Collection Management System.
The Joshua Irungu-led administration in Laikipia is facing a probe regarding various contracts awarded for road works and consultancy services against officials of various companies in the period between 2021 and 2023.
EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud said the commission is separately pursuing over 400 cases for forfeiture of corruptly acquired assets valued at approximately Sh49.5 billion.
