EACC probing 67 NG-CDF graft cases, exposes schemes used in looting funds

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is investigating 67 cases linked to the management of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) across the country, amid growing concerns over the misuse of devolved public resources.

The revelations were made on Thursday during a regional workshop in Nakuru that brought together more than 350 NG-CDF officials from 33 constituencies, including fund account managers, deputy county commissioners, sub-county accountants and committee members from Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia and Vihiga counties.

In remarks by the EACC CEO Abdi A. Mohamud, delivered by the Western Regional Manager Eric Ngumbi, the commission said corruption remains a major obstacle to effective service delivery and the realisation of development goals tied to devolved funds.

“We gather here at a time when corruption is increasingly gaining prominence as a threat to the fabric of our society and, more critically, a major obstacle to the realisation of the full potential of the funds devolved to enhance service delivery at the community level,” Mohamud stated.

According to the anti-graft agency, some of the schemes used to siphon public resources include payments for ghost projects, multiple payments for the same projects, bursaries issued to ghost students, inflated project costs and payments for services not rendered.

“The most common forms relating to the NG-CDF include conflict of interest where NG-CDF officials award themselves contracts through proxy companies, procurement fraud, payment of kickbacks, extortion of contractors before payments for works done, money laundering, and embezzlement of public funds,” he said.

Mohamud further cited a case under investigation in which a private contractor was allegedly irregularly awarded 49 tenders and paid more than Ksh.66 million from various NG-CDF committees and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund across 11 counties within two financial years.

EACC warned that misuse of devolved development funds could undermine the objectives for which they were established and deprive citizens of essential services.

The Commission noted that the NG-CDF plays a key role in national development by funding projects such as schools, health facilities, water systems and roads at the grassroots level.

However, the agency cautioned that mismanagement of the fund may erode public trust and compromise development meant to benefit local communities.

“You are the guardians of public confidence in the constituencies that you serve. You must, therefore, carry this responsibility with dedication to the public good,” Mohamud said.

Mohamud consequently urged NG-CDF managers and committee members to resist undue influence or coercion that could facilitate unlawful expenditure of public funds, warning that those responsible for misuse would ultimately be held accountable.

The Commission said it will continue intensifying investigations, asset recovery efforts and corruption prevention measures aimed at safeguarding public resources and restoring integrity in public institutions.