Eight senior Bomet County officials arrested in Ksh.1.5B fraud probe
Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC)
have raided the Bomet County Offices and arrested eight senior officials over
allegations of embezzlement of funds amounting to more than Ksh.1.5 billion.
The raid was also extended to the officials’ residences where
valuable evidentiary material was reportedly recovered.
EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi confirmed the raid saying the
suspects, who include County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) and Chief
Officers, have allegedly abused their positions to steal public funds through
collusion, procurement fraud and payments for non-existent or substandard
services.
Ngumbi said investigations showed that Ksh.1.2 billion had been
stolen through fraudulent payments made to the officials’ own companies, while
Ksh.373 million was embezzled in the procurement of 12 heavy road construction
machines and trucks in the 2022/2023 financial year.
The suspects face counts of conflict of interest, embezzlement of
public funds, abuse of office, and conflict of interest among other charges.
The suspects have since recorded their statements at various EACC offices
before eventually being released.
EACC says that upon completion of the inquiry, the outcome will
inform appropriate action as the commission seeks to prosecute any culpable
persons and recover unexplained wealth or proceeds of corruption.
The arrest of the county officials comes barely two months after
the anti-graft body launched a probe into an alleged Ksh.373 million graft.
In August, EACC wrote to the County Secretary requesting various
financial and procurement documents and information to facilitate the
investigation.
The probe targeted county officials and private entities alleged
to have conspired in weaving and executing fraudulent transactions.
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