EACC begins probe on counties linked to graft

The anti-corruption agency is investigating corruption allegations against three counties mentioned in the report by Auditor General Edward Ouko.

Bungoma residents demonstrate against rampant corruption in their county outside the EACC offices in Nairobi. (PHOTO: ANGELA MAINA/STANDARD)

The audit report by Ouko exposed various improprieties in the counties' spending and recommended investigations into the anomalies that have now forced the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to launch investigations in all of the highlighted counties.

Yesterday, EACC Deputy Chief Executive Officer Michael Mubea said investigations had already started in the counties of Bungoma, Nyamira and Kirinyaga, which have been on the spot over alleged extravagance.

In Bungoma, the county government is alleged to have spent Sh1 million on wheelbarrows. In Nyamira, Sh7 million was spent on a hospital gate and another Sh2.6 million paid to MCAs as sitting allowance while on recess, while Kirinyaga County spent Sh1.2 million on creation of a Facebook page.

While receiving a petition from a lobby group from Bungoma, Mr Mubea said many county officials were blatantly mishandling public funds.

"The rules are very clear especially in procurement processes, but they just choose to do otherwise, with the assumption that no one will notice or question them," he said.

In the petition, the Bungoma lobby group demanded a lifestyle audit on all County Executive Committee members.

"There should also be a forensic audit on all procurement since devolution," said Kennedy Murunga, one of the petitioners.