A total of 11 county governments are facing probe by the anti-corruption watchdog regarding financial malpractices leading to a loss Sh6.3 billion.
An annual status for the financial year 2023/2024 report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) launched on Tuesday, January 28 indicates that the offences under probe range from the use of proxies and procurement irregularities to siphon county resources.
Kajiado county government leads with the commission investigating the loss of Sh2.2 billion between the financial years 2013/2014 and 2022/2023.
The amount relates to an inquiry into allegations of conflict of interest against senior county officials who failed to declare interest in various tenders awarded to companies that are associated with them.
In West Pokot County government under Simon Kachapin, the commission is investigating the loss of Sh1 billion following allegations of conflict of interest against four officials of the county government in relation to tenders awarded to proxy companies between the year 2013 and January 2024.
During the launch event held in Nairobi, EACC Chairperson Dr David Oginde said there is an emerging trend of the public officials using their family members to siphon the county resources.
“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,” Dr Oginde said.
Procurement irregularities
The report also indicates Migori County government under Dr Ochilo Ayacko is facing probe over the alleged misappropriation of Sh140 million due to procurement irregularities in the proposed drilling and equipping of solar-powered boreholes in several wards within the county.
Nairobi City County government under the leadership of Johnson Sakaja is facing probe over the alleged payment of Sh93 million to 13 companies that did not supply any goods and services to the county government.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja at his office in Nairobi.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
The offences, according to the commission, were committed during the financial years 2021/2022 and 2022/2023.
Separately, the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company belonging to the county government is facing a probe over a loss of Sh16 million due to the falsification of academic documents to secure senior positions within the company.
Vihiga county government under Governor Wilber Ottichilo is facing an inquiry into allegations of embezzlement of public funds totaling Sh200 million and conflict of interest against a Member of the County Assembly and their spouse who work for the devolved unit.
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 commission said the current governor Mohamud Ali is facing probe over conflict of interest in the award of tenders worth Sh99 million to Blue Nile E. A Limited, Midrock Water Drilling Co. Ltd and Qoorti Gen. Contractors between financial years 2017/2018 and 2023/2024.
The county government of Nyeri under 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 facing probe due to procurement irregularities in single sourcing of ambulance services from Emergency Plus Medical Services in the financial year 2022/2023.
Garissa Governor Nathif Jama Adam before the County Public Investments and Special Funds at KICC Nairobi County on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
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.
Kilifi county government under the leadership of Gideon Mung’aro is 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 awarded to Aden Contractors Limited.
Laikipia county government under Joshua Irungu is facing 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.
The commission has also processed 5,171 corruption reports during the period with 2,207 of them falling under its mandate. 42 per cent of the reports processed are related to bribery within in government while 13 per cent are related to embezzlement or misappropriation of public funds and a further 12 per cent to unethical conduct. 11 per cent to fraudulent acquisition or disposal of public property, and 22 per cent linked to other offenses.
Mr Mohamud said his focus will be on addressing the high rates of bribery in the country which is hindering the delivery of government services.
“There is a lot of bribery, especially at the service points within government. My focus is on addressing this to streamline services and ensure that Kenyans get the government services that they deserve since they act as gateways,” he said during the launch of the report.
