EACC freezes Ksh.28M belonging to KNH CEO Evanson Kamuri in Ksh.634M graft probe

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has obtained court orders freezing funds belonging to the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) CEO Dr. Evanson Njoroge Kamuri, who is under investigation over a Ksh.634.5 million corruption scandal at the medical facility.

EACC obtained court orders granting it permission to freeze Ksh.28 million held in two Housing Finance (HF) accounts, that the KNH boss is suspected to have corruptly acquired from the hospital.

In an affidavit filed at the Milimani Law Courts, EACC wanted to examine and obtain copies of various documents in regards to the accounts.

These include account opening records, statements, cheques, deposit slips, bankers' books, payment vouchers, or any other pertinent information from January 1, 2019 onwards.

The anti-graft watchdog likewise made a formal request for electronic evidence to be produced by Housing Finance in compliance with legal procedures and court orders.

"The petitioner (EACC) is asking the esteemed court to issue an order compelling the CEO of Housing Finance to appoint an authorized representative who will be responsible for providing a certificate confirming the production of electronic evidence, as required by Section 106B(4) of the Evidence Act," court document read in part.

"The evidence in question consists of certified copies generated electronically or from electronic devices. This certificate of production is to be provided to the petitioner's investigator, Paul Mugwe, or any other investigator duly appointed by the petitioner. The petitioner stresses that this evidence must be provided in compliance with the court's orders."

The EACC had requested the court to freeze Ksh.10 million held in one account and Ksh.18 million held in another account both under Housing Finance for a duration of 21 days while additional investigations are conducted.

The court ruled that preliminary investigations by EACC had found Kamuri, in his role as KNH CEO, guilty of abuse of office, conflict of interest, and procurement irregularities.

The offenses were related to the awarding of a tender for the supply, delivery, installation, testing, and commissioning of a medical oxygen generating plant at KNH to Biomax Africa Ltd, as well as another tender for the supply, delivery, installation, testing, commissioning, and support of the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System and its supporting hardware and software components.

"Investigations are still ongoing and it is necessary that the Commission investigates the above stated bank accounts through which suspected proceeds of the transactions may have been channeled through," added court document.

"The order sought herein to freeze Ksh.10 million in bank account no 9783822870-0 and Ksh.18 million in account no 0620223401-0 for a period of 21 days will aid in the investigations and avert any and/or further dissipation of the monies which will in turn frustrate and/or render the investigations futile to detriment of the public."

The court further ruled that; "For purposes of the ongoing investigations, it is necessary for the said bank to confirm the account balances and to make accessible certified copies of account opening documents, statements, cheques, deposit slips, ATM and cash withdrawals, standing orders, direct debits, debit and credit cards documents, cash deposit slips, bankers' books, mandate cards and authorizations, payment vouchers or any other relevant information for the period indicated above for the above identified account number."