EACC raids offices, residences of Garissa County officials in Ksh.1.2B graft probe

Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have raided the offices and residences of senior Garissa County officials in connection with the irregular award of contracts worth Ksh.1.2 billion.

In the Wednesday operation, detectives executed search warrants targeting four officials among them the Head of County Treasury, Abdi Ali Nuriye.

Others are Chief Finance Officer Mohamed Daud Korow, Director of Supply Chain Management Mohamed Abdi Hassan, and former Director of Procurement Abdiwahab Omar Guye.

According to the commission, the investigations centre on alleged procurement irregularities in several county projects, including the construction of a terminal wing at Garissa Airstrip, the construction of a perimeter wall and pavilion at Garissa Primary School, the provision of medical insurance, and the provision of catering services.

The anti-graft body is also probing claims of payment of salaries to ghost workers by county officials.

EACC says the operation led to the recovery of critical evidentiary material, which will support the ongoing investigations.

The commission noted that once their probe is concluded, appropriate action will be taken, which may include prosecution, forfeiture of unexplained assets, and confiscation of proceeds of corruption.

Early this month, Garissa Governor Nathif Jama Adan appeared before the EACC after being summoned to record a statement in connection with the alleged mismanagement of Ksh.1.2 billion.

In a letter seen by Citizen Digital dated August 19, 2025, the Governor was summoned to record his statement following allegations of embezzlement of public funds and irregular recruitment of employees by the county government between October 2022 and June 2024.

According to the commission at the time, the probe covered alleged irregular recruitment of staff and the payment of Ksh.700 million in salaries to ghost workers.

The Governor was also being investigated over conflict of interest claims in the award of contracts worth Ksh.265 million to Takaful Insurance of Africa Ltd and Tina Gardens Hotel, firms said to be linked to him.

Other areas under scrutiny include the award of a Ksh.188 million tender for the construction of a pavilion and masonry perimeter fence at Garissa Primary School to Jubalink Logistics and Transport Company, and the award of a Ksh.110 million tender for the construction of a terminal wing at Garissa Airstrip to Remera Investments Limited.