Eight senior Bomet County officials arrested in Ksh.1.5B fraud probe

Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have raided the Bomet County Offices and arrested eight senior officials over allegations of embezzlement of funds amounting to more than Ksh.1.5 billion.

The raid was also extended to the officials’ residences where valuable evidentiary material was reportedly recovered.

EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi confirmed the raid saying the suspects, who include County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) and Chief Officers, have allegedly abused their positions to steal public funds through collusion, procurement fraud and payments for non-existent or substandard services.

Ngumbi said investigations showed that Ksh.1.2 billion had been stolen through fraudulent payments made to the officials’ own companies, while Ksh.373 million was embezzled in the procurement of 12 heavy road construction machines and trucks in the 2022/2023 financial year.

The suspects face counts of conflict of interest, embezzlement of public funds, abuse of office, and conflict of interest among other charges.

The suspects have since recorded their statements at various EACC offices before eventually being released.

EACC says that upon completion of the inquiry, the outcome will inform appropriate action as the commission seeks to prosecute any culpable persons and recover unexplained wealth or proceeds of corruption.

The arrest of the county officials comes barely two months after the anti-graft body launched a probe into an alleged Ksh.373 million graft.

In August, EACC wrote to the County Secretary requesting various financial and procurement documents and information to facilitate the investigation.

The probe targeted county officials and private entities alleged to have conspired in weaving and executing fraudulent transactions.