The Ethics and Anti- Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested five senior officials of Nandi County Government in connection with alleged misappropriation of Sh19.7 million.
The money is said to have been paid to a company owned by a senior county official in the award of a tender for supply of water dispensers and road construction.
Five suspects, Henry Maritim Koech, Meshack Oreu Tankoi, Wilson Kipchirchir Yebei, Henry Kibii Kirui and Leah Jelagat are under police custody at Eldoret Central Police Station and are expected to be arraigned at the Eldoret Anti- Corruption Court tomorrow, July 24.
According to the EACC investigation report dated July 23, 2020, the then Chief Officer for Finance and Economic Planning at Nandi County Henry Maritim Koech authorised the payments to his company.
“The then Chief Officer Finance and Economic Planning at the Nandi County Government authorised payments totalling to Sh19,781,551 to M/S Makiki Agencies Ltd, a company he owned,” stated the EACC press release.
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The release further read, “The Company had purportedly been contracted by the county to undertake an upgrade of roads at the County. The purported award was facilitated by the Head of Procurement and other County officials.
Following the EACC investigations, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) preferred four charges against the county officials.
The charges include abuse of office and conflict of interest against the former CO of Finance Economic planning Mr Koech.
Koech will also face charges of fraudulent acquisition of public property.
The four suspects will jointly be charged with deceiving principal against the chairpersons and secretaries of the tender committees as well as conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption.
