EACC probes six Bungoma MCAs over Sh144.2million tender scandal

The Bungoma County Assembly main entrance.  [Juliet Omelo, Standard]

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has launched a probe into an alleged Sh144.2 million corruption scandal involving six Bungoma Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).

The MCAs are accused of colluding to irregularly award tenders for construction projects in their wards to proxy companies linked to their family members and close associates.

According to whistleblowers and concerned residents, the projects have resulted in incomplete or substandard works, undermining service delivery in the county.

Sources within the Bungoma County Assembly confirmed that the EACC has formally launched investigations into the matter. 

On Thursday, the Commission wrote to the Bungoma County Secretary and the Clerk of the County Assembly, requesting access to key documents. 

These include original procurement files, conflict of interest registers, payslips, wealth declaration forms, and other personal records associated with the implicated MCAs.

Meanwhile, Sirisia MP John Waluke and civil society activists from Bungoma have welcomed the investigation by the EACC, saying it was long overdue.

Lumumba Wekesa, a civil society representative, called on the Commission to expand the scope of the investigation.

"The EACC must not stop at these six members. We urge them to investigate all MCAs and senior county officials involved in this systemic corruption in the county," he said.

Wekesa also pointed to suspicious budget increases as evidence of possible graft and conflict of interest.

"Look at how they raised the Ward Development Fund from Sh24 million in the previous budget to Sh35 million for the 2025/26 financial year. Why such a drastic increase unless it's meant to benefit their proxy companies?"

Emmanuel Were, another civil society leader in Bungoma, echoed Wekesa’s concerns:

"This investigation comes at the right time. The public has been raising alarm about corruption in the assembly for months. The EACC’s involvement is a much-needed step forward.”

Speaking from his constituency, Waluke also voiced support for the probe and made damning allegations against senior figures in the County Assembly.

“The entire assembly leadership is compromised. The Majority Leader, Speaker, and several MCAs are deeply involved in corruption,” he said.

He further questioned the sudden wealth acquisition by some MCAs.