EACC clarifies concerns of misleading reports in Taita Taveta 'World War I' graft case

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has clarified media reports that it misled the public in the case where four senior Taita Taveta County officials are accused of theft of Ksh.7 million public funds under the pretext of commemorating the First World War.

Thomas Jumwa, the current Economic Advisor to Governor Andrew Mwadime; former County Secretary Liverson Mghendi; former Finance Chief Officer Leonard Langat; and Christine Wakera, the former Trade, Tourism and Co-operatives Development chief officer, were captured by EACC detectives on Tuesday and arraigned before the Mombasa Anti-Corruption Court on Wednesday.

Reports in sections of the media accused EACC of sensationalising the accusations by saying they had embezzled over Ksh.7 million, while the amount stated in the charge sheet presented in court was approximately Ksh.4 million.

On Thursday, however, EACC criticised the reporting as a misrepresentation of the court session.

“Chief Magistrate Hon Alex Ithuku observed that the figure of Ksh.7 million earlier reported by EACC would be wrong if the charge sheet indicating Ksh.4 million was anything to go by. That is if the charge sheet was the only point of reference. But it was not,” said EACC.

“Notably, the amount stated in the charge sheet only related to the accused persons charged yesterday but not the entire amount involved in the fraudulent scheme by the arrested county officials.”

“Relatedly, the actual amount allegedly stolen by the accused persons was not the substantive issue before the court.”

During the session, the court heard that the quartet, “jointly conspired to commit an offence of corruption in engaging in a project without prior planning and unlawfully facilitated direct procurement and payment of services for the World War I commemoration event between 24th and 27th November 2022, an event which had not been budgeted for in the budget for the financial year 2022/2023.”

“They were also charged with an offence of engaging in a project without prior planning contrary to section 45(2) (c) as read together with Section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act laws of Kenya,” the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) said.

One of the accused persons, Nyambu, was also charged with unlawful acquisition of public property, uttering false documents, and willful failure to comply with the applicable procedures and guidelines relating to incurring expenditures.

According to the ODPP, Nyambu unlawfully acquired Ksh.1,018,000 as purported payments for services rendered during the said event.

All the officials pleaded not guilty to charges levelled against them and were released on Ksh.1 million bond or cash bail of Ksh.200,000 each.

Nyambu, on the other hand, was released on a bond of Ksh.2 million or cash bail of Ksh.500,000.

The case will be mentioned on November 7, 2024.