EACC to probe Kisii over alleged existence of ghost workers

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) CEO Twalib Mbarak [David Njaaga, Standard]

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has launched investigations into alleged insurance fraud and staff numbers' inflation at the Kisii County Government.

This comes after Governor Simba Arati alleged that there were ghost workers at the county government.

Arati said Kisii County Government has 82 vehicles yet there are some 256 drivers on the payroll.

The governor further alleged that some of the vehicles had been listed as comprehensively covered yet had third-party insurance stickers.

Following the revelations, the EACC says it has launched investigations into fraud allegations in the Kisii County Government.

"The EACC has taken note of the serious allegations of ghost workers and fraud in the procurement of motor vehicle insurance in Kisii County and has taken up the matter for investigations. Persons found culpable will be dealt with in accordance with the law," EACC Chief Executive Officer Twalib Mbarak said in a statement dated Thursday, September 1.

"The commission expects the governors to strengthen internal controls in public procurement, capital project management, staff recruitment and payment of pending bills. These are some of the high corruption risk areas," said Mbarak.