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Ex-Governor Obado to surrender vehicles, houses worth Sh235M to state

Former Migori governor Okoth Obado.

By Lucy Mumbi | Wednesday, June 19, 2024

The EACC's investigation focused on tenders awarded to companies linked to the petitioner by Migori County between 2013 and 2017.

Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado is on the brink of losing properties valued at Sh235 million, assets believed to have been acquired through corruption.

This comes after the High Court on Tuesday authorised the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to seize and auction Obado's properties, which include residential houses and luxury vehicles.

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The properties targeted for seizure include a commercial block named Sunrise Centre valued at Sh88 million, a five-storey residential block worth Sh57.6 million and two apartments in Greenspan each valued at Sh9 million.

Additionally, a Sh10 million residential property, a Sh40 million home in Nairobi's Loresho estate and two Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles are also set to be auctioned.

According to the EACC, the assets, which belong to Obado and his associates, are tied to corruption and unexplained wealth siphoned from the Migori County Government.

The court orders were issued by Justice Esther Maina following an out-of-court settlement between Obado and the EACC.

"In the consent judgement delivered in the civil forfeiture case by Justice Esther Maina on Tuesday, the High Court adopted an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) settlement reached by the parties. The consent judgement does not affect the ongoing criminal case against the former governor and his children, whose cumulative direct benefit from the fraudulent scheme was to the tune of Sh73 million," the Commission said.

The auction of the properties comes after the High Court granted the Commission approval to withdraw a Sh1.9 billion asset recovery case against the former Governor, his children, companies, and a businessman.

According to court documents, the parties involved noted that they had reached a settlement amounting to Sh235 million.

The EACC had initially sought to recover over Sh1.9 billion allegedly misappropriated by Obado and more than 20 others from the Migori County government through fictitious procurement contracts.

Justice Maina, had previously denied a petition to dismiss the suit, emphasising the distinct nature of each legal action and the relief sought.

The EACC's investigation focused on tenders awarded to companies linked to the petitioner by Migori County between 2013 and 2017.

EACC said it justified its forfeiture suit based on compelling evidence gathered through international cooperation, which substantiated financial flows to offshore accounts.