EACC arrests 3 suspects in Ksh.4.8 million Igembe North NG-CDF transformers fraud

Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have arrested three suspects over the alleged embezzlement of Ksh.4.8 million meant for the purchase and installation of electricity transformers under the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) in Igembe North Constituency.

The three, Pauline Waruguru Mwangi, James Muroki Eusebio and James Ntonjira Ntongai, were arrested on Wednesday and are expected to be arraigned before the Meru Law Courts to face corruption-related charges.

According to the EACC, investigations were launched following allegations that funds allocated for six electricity transformers during the 2014/2015 financial year were misappropriated.

Detectives established that the Igembe North NG-CDF Committee had received Ksh.4.8 million to purchase and install six transformers at Buathine, Ethiopia, Ntobocui, Luciuti MCK, Marere Centre and Muurune, with each project allocated Ksh.800,000.

Investigators say the money was transferred into six separate project bank accounts before being withdrawn on the same day by account signatories James Muroki Eusebio, James Ntonjira Ntongai and Joshua M'maroo, allegedly with the authority of the then NG-CDF Fund Manager Pauline Waruguru Mwangi.

The commission further established that although the committee claimed to have engaged the former Rural Electrification Authority (REA) and the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) to undertake the project, both institutions denied receiving any payment or communication regarding the procurement.

Investigators also found that no transformers were supplied or installed at any of the identified project sites despite the funds having been withdrawn.

Upon concluding investigations, the EACC forwarded the inquiry file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who approved the prosecution of the four suspects on charges including conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption, unlawful acquisition of public property, abuse of office and misappropriation of Constituency Development Fund monies.

While three of the suspects have been arrested, the commission has directed the fourth suspect, Joshua M'maroo, to present himself at its Upper Eastern Regional Office in Isiolo or any other EACC office for processing and arraignment.

The anti-graft body has consequently expressed its commitment to protecting public resources and ensuring that individuals implicated in corruption and economic crimes are held accountable.