EACC flags 569 ghost fishermen angling for Sh1.7b KPA compensation

Fishermen on their boat fishing in the Indian Ocean in Lamu County, on August 30, 2020. [File, Standard]

At the same time, Ngumbi said the EACC is pursuing influential individuals in Mombasa County he accused of stealing public land worth Sh4.2 billion.

The land belongs to state entities such as Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), Postal Corporation, Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

"In short, property worth more than Sh4 billion is in the hands of criminals. We are going to create a hostile environment for these grabbers," he said.

He said four companies have surrendered the Kisite Island Marine Reserve in Kwale County and it will be given back to KWS. The land is valued at more than Sh300 million.

Nationally, Ngumbi said the commission is pursuing cases to recover property worth about Sh40 billion.

In the counties, Ngumbi noted that the commission is investigating 21 former and current governors, including those serving their first terms, over embezzlement of funds and abuse of office.

The commission is also investigating cases where payments were made but works were not undertaken.

The officials noted that most counties have failed to remit a total of Sh80 billion, in statutory deductions for their workers.

"There will be a problem of paying pension because most counties have not remitted statutory deductions. This matter must be sorted out as soon as possible," he said.

At the same time, Ngumbi said some governors have a hand in the hiring of ghost workers in their governments. "Some of them are suspected to have introduced some names in the payroll."

EACC chairman David Oginde, while in Mombasa recently, lamented that corruption has been devolved to the counties and that they are investigating cases of graft in several counties.

He said the commission has conducted a corruption risk assessment in 27 counties that will assist the devolved units to mitigate against corruption.