EACC summons auctioneers in Matili Institute fiasco

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has summoned owners of auctioneer firms allegedly involved in the sale of Matili Technical Training Institute assets over a fraudulent debt.

Among those summoned are Brown Tsuma Mukanda and Kennedy Kweyu Shikuku, proprietors of Eshikhoni Auctioneers, who are said to have benefited from the proceeds of a driving school vehicle sold at Ksh.1.2 million, despite its actual value being Ksh.5.4 million.

The pair appeared alongside the owner of Dominion Auctioneers, Samson Itonde, who is currently engaged by Ramagon Construction Company Ltd to seize and auction more assets from the institution based on what EACC has described as a fake and non-existent claim.

The summons letter, seen by Citizen Digital, said the suspects are being investigated over corruption-related charges, unlawful acquisition of public property, and conspiracy to commit economic crimes.

“EACC is investigating allegations of economic crimes and fraudulent acquisition of public property in Tender No. MTTI/MOHEST/2/2010-2011 awarded to M/s Ramagon Construction Company Limited for the erection and completion of twin workshops complex at Matili Technical Training Institute, in which Eshikhoni Auctioneers feature,” read the letter.

“EACC is investigating allegations of economic crimes and fraudulent acquisition of public property in Tender No. MTTI/MOHEST/2/2010-2011 awarded to Ramagon Construction Company Limited for the erection and completion of a twin workshops complex at Matili Technical Training Institute, in which Dominion Yard Auctioneers features.”

The three have since recorded their statements at EACC offices in Bungoma.

The development comes days after the EACC arrested three directors of Ramagon Construction Company Limited—Abdi Barre Abdi, Hassan Bare Abdi, and Nagenye Mohamud Dahir—over alleged procurement irregularities, theft of public funds, and fraudulent acquisition of public property.

Preliminary findings by the commission show that the directors, in collusion with public officials, irregularly varied a tender originally worth Ksh.29.3 million to Ksh.59 million for the construction of twin workshops at Matili Institute during the 2010/2011 financial year. This led to an overpayment of Ksh.22 million for services that were never delivered.

Investigators further established that the company falsely claimed an additional Ksh.9 million, leading to the fraudulent disposal of public property through Eshikhoni and Dominion Auctioneers.