EACC investigating 21 sitting and former governors over corruption

The current and former county bosses are being investigated over embezzlement of public funds, conflict of interest, procurement fraud, payroll fraud mainly through ghost workers, fraudulent pending bills, and blatant disregard of laws relating to financial management.

According to the commission’s spokesperson Eric Ngumbi, the investigations are at different stages and upon conclusion, files will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) with appropriate recommendations.

Ngumbi also dismissed reports that the recent arrest of former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya and his three wives was politically motivated and influenced by government.

He said EACC is a law enforcement body but not a political party and as such, it will continue to conduct its investigations independently, impartially, and professionally, and in accordance with the law.

The commission’s spokesperson dismissed the claims by leaders from Azimio la Umoja coalition as unfounded, diversionary, and misleading as EACC is focused on holding to account all persons involved in the theft of public funds irrespective of their status or political allegiance. 

He urged all leaders to abandon the culture of unleashing political attacks on institutions whenever called to account over allegations of corruption saying that such attacks amount to politicization of the Commission’s work which remains a leading challenge in the fight against corruption. 

Former Kakamega Governor, Wycliffe Oparanya and his three wives were grilled at EACC offices on Wednesday, August 23, after a search operation in his homes. 

Oparanya and his family are under probe by EACC over embezzlement of public funds amounting to over Ksh. 1.3 billion from Kakamega County during his reign.

In the EACC Quarterly Report published in the Kenya Gazette on August 11, the Commission said it had submitted files to the DPP recommending prosecution of Kakamega Governor Fernades Barasa and former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu over corruption charges.