EACC altered summons to probe bribery, MP Didmus Barasa claims

Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa claims the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is misusing its mandate by altering the reason for a summons.

 This comes after the EACC summoned Barasa to appear for questioning regarding an alleged Sh2 million fraud.

In a letter dated Sunday, August 25, Barasa claimed EACC initially issued the summons to address failure to honour financial obligations but later changed it to investigate bribery claims.

 “The Sh2 million deposited into my Cooperative Bank account was a soft loan from a politician who ran unsuccessfully for governor in December 2023. The documents supporting the transaction identified it as a loan,” he said.

“The EACC’s focus on the loan's terms is irrelevant,” he added.

The Commission is investigating Barasa for allegedly defrauding a businesswoman of Sh2 million, which he is accused of soliciting in exchange for influencing government tenders.

Preliminary investigations suggest Barasa provided an account number for the deposit but became unresponsive after receiving the funds.

 The complainant later discovered that the promised tenders did not exist.

The EACC received the complaint on June 4. Barasa was summoned for an interview on August 14 but did not attend.

A further summons has been issued for Tuesday, August 27, with the EACC warning that failure to comply may lead to enforcement actions.

Barasa has stated he will send a lawyer in his place.