EACC summons eight senior Nakuru County officials over Sh22 million irregular payments

Integrity Centre, the headquarters of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission on Jakaya Kikwete-Valley Road Junction in Nairobi. (Photo: EACC)

By Lucy Mumbi
Monday, September 8, 2025

The move follows a directive from the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which referred the matter to the commission after Governor Susan Kihika appeared before it to answer audit queries.

Eight senior Nakuru County officials have been summoned in for questioning by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over alleged irregular payments to private law firms totalling Sh22 million.

In a letter dated September 2, 2025, the commission instructed Nakuru County Secretary Dr Samuel Mwaura to ensure the officials appear at the EACC South Rift Regional Offices for interviews and statement recording.

More To Read

“The commission is investigating allegations regarding the use of public funds for legal services by county officials. Please inform them to appear for the interview and statement recording on the dates and times as specified,” reads the letter signed by EACC South Rift Coordinator Kipsang Sambai.

Those summoned include Finance Chief Officer Evelyne Kakai, Public Service Chief Officer Charles Koech, Gender and Youth Chief Officer Gladys Kamuren, Governor’s Office Chief Officer Martin Agai, and former Finance Chief Officer Joseph Malinda. County Attorney Caleb Nyamwange, Supply Chain Management Director Annemarie Kuria and Head of Budget Ashina Wanga are also on the list.

The move follows a directive from the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which referred the matter to the commission after Governor Susan Kihika appeared before it to answer audit queries.

The 2024/25 Auditor General’s report revealed that the payments to private law firms were made without contracts or supporting documentation and bypassed the county attorney’s office.

Under the EACC schedule, County Attorney Caleb Nyamwange and Public Service Chief Officer Charles Koech are set to appear first.

Gender and Youth Chief Officer Gladys Kamuren, former Finance CO Joseph Malinda, and Supply Chain Management Director Annemarie Kuria are scheduled for questioning on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the commission will interrogate Ashina Wanga, Martin Agai and Evelyne Kakai.

The Auditor General’s report also highlighted other irregularities in Nakuru County’s financial management. It noted that the county operated 28 bank accounts, with discrepancies of Sh339.5 million between cashbook balances and actual funds.

Expenditures included Sh22.4 million on foreign travel and Sh5.8 million on domestic trips, despite national austerity directives, Sh93.3 million on training without documentation, Sh159 million paid to employees outside the official payroll and Sh2 billion in pending bills.

Vehicle-related spending of Sh6.8 million on tyres and Sh21 million on routine maintenance was also flagged as lacking proper justification.

PAC chair Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang described the audit findings as “shocking,” noting that key county officials were absent or unprepared during the committee hearing. Governor Kihika had argued that the county attorney was best placed to respond to questions on the payments.