Five Laikipia County officials arrested over embezzlement of Ksh.20M in ghost road project scandal

The suspects are accused of jointly conspiring and fraudulently acquiring the funds through a ghost road project named the "construction of Thome-Tharua road" during the 2016/2017 financial year.

Confirming the arrests, EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi stated that those arrested include the former chairman, secretary, and treasurer of the NG-CDF Committee, along with two former district accountants.

They are currently being held at Nyahururu Police Station pending their appearance before the Nyahururu Anti-Corruption Court on Monday, 19th February 2024.

The suspects include Newton Kabuthia (Former Chairman, NG-CDF Committee), Ann Wangeci Mwangi (Former Secretary, NG-CDF Committee), John Mutahi Muritu (Former Treasurer, NG-CDF Committee), Richard Maina Kariuki (Former District Accountant, Laikipia East), and Monica Gikeri (Former District Accountant, Laikipia East).

The five are accused of various offenses, including conspiracy to commit corruption, financial misconduct, and fraudulent acquisition of public property. Additionally, they allegedly made payments from public revenue for services not rendered and willfully failed to comply with laws relating to the management of public funds.

Investigation by the EACC revealed that there was no approved procurement plan or budget for the purported project, and no construction works were carried out despite the substantial funds disbursed. The embezzled amount was traced to personal bank accounts of one of the suspects, Newton Kabuthia, the former NG-CDF Committee Chairman.

It is also suspected that the scheme involved collaboration with other senior government officials, although the investigation is ongoing in this regard.