EACC: Nine governors under investigation for using staff to funnel stolen county funds
EACC chairperson Dr David Oginde revealed that the leaders, particularly in marginalised regions, are diverting money meant for development to invest in real estate and businesses in Nairobi.
At least nine governors are on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) radar in an intensified probe into county corruption, with the anti-graft body revealing that senior county officials are using junior staff to funnel stolen funds into personal accounts.
Speaking on Tuesday during an interview, EACC chairperson Dr David Oginde revealed that the leaders, particularly in marginalised regions, are diverting money meant for development to invest in real estate and businesses in Nairobi.
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“We are pursuing several governors. At the moment, nine are under scrutiny at different levels of the cases. It’s not just governors, it goes down to other county staff,” Oginde told Citizen TV. “Counties are what are keeping us busy right now.”
Oginde said he was alarmed that some of the worst-hit counties are those considered marginalised, where leaders have been given special privileges to spur growth but instead channel the funds into private investments.
“I have been surprised that some of the worst-hit counties are those that are considered marginalised. They have been given privileges to try and bring the county up, but the leaders in those counties are siphoning that money and bringing it back to Nairobi to buy apartments and start businesses,” he said.
According to him, EACC investigations have uncovered a system in counties where senior leaders use junior officers as conduits to transfer stolen funds into their accounts. Tendering processes, where individuals set up companies to do business with counties while inflating prices, have been identified as a key method of looting.
Oginde said the commission’s work is often frustrated by political interference, which shields suspects from prosecution.
“We have had situations where we arrest senior people, and even the day they are coming to record statements, our offices are raided by their supporters,” he said.
He added that politicising corruption has for years undermined efforts to combat the vice.
A recent report by the Commission ranked Uasin Gishu, Baringo, Embu and Homa Bay among Kenya’s most corrupt counties, where residents pay the highest amounts in bribes to access public services.
The 2024 National Ethics and Corruption Survey (NECS) focused on the trends, magnitude, prevalence and impact of corruption across national and county governments.
The report found that Uasin Gishu County recorded the highest average bribe at Sh25,873, followed by Baringo (Sh16,156), Embu (Sh12,878), Homa Bay (Sh12,381) and Bomet (Sh11,650).
Other counties where significant bribes were paid include Kakamega (Sh10,013), Tana River (Sh9,582), Kiambu (Sh7,982), Nyamira (Sh7,748) and Wajir (Sh7,275).
In terms of the share of national bribes paid, Uasin Gishu accounted for the highest proportion at 11.12 per cent, followed by Baringo (6.94 per cent), Embu (5.54 per cent), Homa Bay (5.32 per cent) and Bomet (5.01 per cent).
The EACC also listed counties where bribery was most prevalent, with all respondents confirming they had to pay to receive services, including Elgeyo Marakwet, Marsabit, and Wajir, where the bribery incidence stood at 100 per cent.
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