The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested four senior Homa Bay County officials and contractors in connection with a Sh348 million graft case.
Two other suspects are on the run, according to EACC head of corporate communications Stephen Karuga.
Those arrested are former Homa Bay County Assembly clerk Faith Apuko, former Ministry of Public Works quantity surveyor and project manager Patrick Tonui, Hartland Enterprises Limited director, James Mumali Oyukah and Mary Pauline Oduor, a director at Hartland Enterprises Limited and wife to Mr Oyukah.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga had earlier approved charges against the six following their role in the alleged scheme.
“The alleged irregularities amount to Sh348,927,840,” the statement read in part. “The tender was reportedly awarded to a company linked to employees of the county government, raising serious concerns of conflict of interest, abuse of office, and violations of procurement laws.”
The ODPP said those set to be charged include the former county assembly clerk Odhiambo Daniel Kaudo, Ms Faith Adhiambo Apuko, Mr Tunoi, Mr James Mumali Oyuka, Ms Mary Pauline Oduor, and former County Executive Committee Member for Lands Roseline Anyango Odhiambo.
The investigations, ODPP says, revealed that Mr Odhiambo Daniel Kaudo, alongside five other senior county officials, “were allegedly involved in irregular procurement processes during the award of Tender No. HBCA/T/W6/2018-2019 for the proposed construction of the Homa Bay County Assembly office block.”
Together, the suspects will face charges of abuse of office and willful failure to comply with procurement laws, alongside counts of conflict of interest, unlawful acquisition of public property, and fraudulent acquisition of public property.
