EACC detectives arrest 10 Migori County officials

Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Tuesday arrested ten people among them senior county assembly officials in Migori County and contractors being investigated over graft claims.

Those arrested include Migori County Assembly Speaker Boaz Okoth, his deputy Mathews Chacha, members of Migori County Assembly Service Board Roland Asiga, Nicholas Rioba, Clifford Jobando and Mrs Meressa Akello.

Acting County Assembly Clerk Emanuel Kingwara, suspended Clerk Tom Onyango and supply chain manager were picked up by the detectives from the DCI for questioning.

A senior police officer who was involved in the arrests said Kachieng ward representative Brian Osodo and several contractors had been picked for questioning by the detectives.

 “They have been transferred to EACC headquarters for interrogation after they recorded a statement at Migori police station,” said a senior DCI official.

EACC spokesperson Mr Yassin Amaro confirmed the arrests but maintained the officials will issue a comprehensive statement later.

“They were picked by our officers from Nairobi. We will issue a comprehensive statement once they arrive at the headquarters,” Mr Yassin said without divulging further details.

The detectives have been trailing close to 15 suspects who include directors and former directors of various companies linked to alleged fraudulent procurement

They include Ms Lucy Wanje, director and shareholder at Pamawe Construction Company, James Nduati, former director and current operations manager at Pamawe, Willis Gor director at Travel Time Leaders Company, Ms Joan Owuor (signatory of Travel Time) and Pius Okello director at Guumba Contractors Limited.

The DPP had recommended that the suspects be apprehended “forthwith and arraigned on charges of conspiracy to commit an offense of corruption.”

The arrest of speaker Boaz Okoth comes barely a week after he called for a prayer meeting at his home in Nyatike Sub County and a few months after he claimed his life was in danger.

In September, Mr Okoth resumed operations at the assembly after being on five-month sick leave and later claimed that his life was in danger.

Mr Okoth claimed a top of ODM official had hired goons to raid his home and harm him.

He accused the ODM party officials of threatening him over for being opposd to plans by the MCAs to impeach Migori Governor Okoth Obado.

 The Speaker, who made several reports to the police, said he had been undergoing treatment and was recuperating from a surgery.

“I am only a Speaker, and I have been sick for a long time. I don’t vote in the house, I only preside over the house sessions,” said Mr Okoth.

While some of the MCAs supported the arrests, a section of the county representatives were jittery that the investigations could disrupt operations in the county assembly after Governor Okoth Obado who is facing corruption charges was barred by a court from accessing the county headquarters.