Gov’t officer earning Ksh.100K found with Ksh.36 million in four bank accounts

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is probing allegations of misappropriation and embezzlement of public funds against a deputy director of the National Treasury.

Preliminary investigations by the EACC indicate that over the last five years, Charles Muia Mutiso, Deputy Director External Resources at The National Treasury, has amassed unexplained amounts of money inconsistent with his known income.

According to EACC, Mr. Muia, who joined the Treasury in 2014, has a total of Ksh.36,786,068.73 in four bank accounts yet he was earning a net monthly pay of Ksh.118,691.17 since April 1, 2015 to April 30, 2020. During this period, records indicate that he earned a cumulative net income of Ksh.7,148,991.25.

“EACC applied to court for warrants to investigate accounts held in various banks by Charles Mutiso. On the basis of court orders, the Commission obtained bank statements in respect of the said bank accounts. Analysis of the flow of funds in his bank accounts revealed that he received numerous unexplained inward remittances, EFTs and cash deposits outside his salary from the National Treasury,” says EACC.

“Investigations further established a pattern of frequent large cash deposits made mostly through the ATM or the drop box. For instance, in June 2015, he made five cash deposits of Ksh.400,000 each into his account at Absa Group account amounting to Ksh.2 million over just few days.”

According to EACC, Mr. Muia has two ABSA Group Ltd accounts with Ksh.23,452,775.65 and Ksh.5,843,390.35 respectively.

He also holds a Co-operative Bank account with Ksh.1,932,167.53 and KCB account with Ksh.5,557,735.20.

All the four accounts have since been frozen as investigations continue.

Investigations have also established that Mr. Muia owns several parcels of land which include: LR No Nairobi/Block 140/775, LR No 209/12108, LR No 209/16764, Donyo Sabuk/Kiboko Block 1/908 and Matungulu Sengani/3503.

“It is apparent that there is a huge disproportion between Charles Mutiso’s assets and his known legitimate income. In accordance with the law, he shall have an opportunity to explain as investigations continue,” says EACC.