EACC targets eight in probe over Sh1.3bn ADC land
Integrity Centre in Nairobi which houses the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission offices.
What you need to know:
- Six prime suspects linked to illegal transfer of land belonging to Agricultural Development Corporation.
- The Ministry of Lands officials are believed to have colluded with corrupt advocates to issue blank titles.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is targeting eight suspects in an investigation into the alleged illegal transfer of Sh1.3 billion Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) in Trans Nzoia County.
Six suspects have since recorded statements at the EACC's North Rift region office on the alleged fraudulent transfer of the 666 acres.
Two other suspects are expected to be questioned by the anti-graft agency. A source at the commission confirmed the ongoing investigation but declined to discuss the details.
At the same time, EACC has granted a request by four Moi University Council members for more time to appear before the commission for questioning.
The four were summoned in the probe into the alleged embezzlement of Sh2.2 billion through fraudulent infrastructural projects.
Among those summoned to appear before the EACC offices in Eldoret this week include Council Chairman Dr. Humphrey K. Njuguna, Prof. Clara Samiji Momanyi, Charles Obiero and Isaac Memusi.
So far, the commission has questioned 59 people including the institution's managers.
Among financial irregularities under probe at the university include failure to remit Sh4 billion in payroll deductions, defaulted on a Sh3 billion loan owed to Rivatex East Africa Limited, and accumulated Sh1.1 billion in unpaid bills as of June 2020.
Cabinet Secretary for Education Julius Ogamba has in the past confirmed that the university was grappling with significant financial issues, including certified outstanding debts of Sh8 billion.
The Parliamentary Public Investments Committee on Education has petitioned Auditor General Nancy Gathungu to carry out a forensic audit of the university’s books of accounts.
The committee chaired by Bumula MP Jack Wamboka has further recommended the suspension of all projects at the university and the hiring of new staff until the audit is concluded.
The declining student enrolment from 50,000 in 2015 to 27,000 in 2021 and about 20,000 in 2023, closure of non-viable campuses, reduced exchequer funding due to implementation of differentiated Unit Cost in computing the recurrent capitation and rising cost of personnel enrolment due to National Collective Bargaining Agreements that have not been fully funded are other factors contributing to miseries facing the institution.
