Four Taita Taveta County officials in court after Ksh.7M stolen to 'mark World War I’

Four senior Taita Taveta County officials arrested on Tuesday over the alleged theft of Ksh.7 million public funds in the pretext of commemorating the First World War are due in court on Wednesday.

Thomas Jumwa, the current Economic Advisor to Governor Andrew Mwadime; former County Secretary Liverson Mghendi; former Finance Chief Officer Leonard Langat; and Christine Wakera, the former Trade, Tourism and Co-operatives Development chief officer, were captured by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives and detained at Mombasa Central police station.

EACC said it established that the alleged World War I event was neither factored in the annual procurement plan nor budgeted for in the 2022/23 financial year.

“In addition, the procurement of suppliers was marred with irregularities; suppliers were paid despite not supplying anything to the county government and the documents used to support the payments were forged,” said the anti-graft agency.

The four will be arraigned before the Mombasa Anti-Corruption Court.

EACC said they would be charged with abuse of office, forgery, engaging in a project without prior planning, conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption, and uttering false documents contrary to the law.

Further, the commission said it would file civil proceedings against the suspects to recover the stolen funds.