EACC questions Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo over Sh400 million corruption claims

Barely two weeks after surviving his third impeachment, Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo is again under scrutiny over allegations of corruption and economic crimes linked to county government contracts.

On Wednesday, the governor faced intense questioning from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over claims involving payments and procurement irregularities worth Sh400 million.

The probe also targets the award and execution of a Sh382 million contract for the construction of Nyamira County Government offices to Spentech Engineering Limited. The EACC alleges the firm was paid sums exceeding the work completed.

Governor Nyaribo was also questioned regarding payments totalling Sh18 million that he allegedly authorised for himself, described as ex gratia payments and house allowance reimbursements.

Rescheduled EACC interview

The county boss appeared at the EACC’s Nairobi Integrity Centre following a summons issued on December 8.

In a letter to the governor’s lawyers, the commission stated, “The Commission is amenable to your request to reschedule the governor’s interview and statement recording. Subsequently, the interview has been rescheduled to 17th December 2025 at 10:00 am, to be held at our Nairobi Integrity Centre offices.”

The questioning follows extensive search operations carried out on October 28 and 29, 2025, in Nyamira, Kisii, and Nairobi counties.

According to the EACC, the operations targeted the residences and offices of several county officials identified as persons of interest in the investigation, aiming to recover documents, financial records, and digital evidence.

Officials under investigation

Persons of interest named by the commission include Lameck Machuki Nyariki, Director of Housing and Physical Planning; Peris Mose, Director of Roads and former Head of Procurement; Asberth Maobe, Chief Officer, Finance and Accounting Services; and Josphat Oruru, Chief Officer, Roads, Transport & Public Works.

The commission stated that the investigations are part of broader efforts to determine the extent of alleged corruption and economic crimes within the Nyamira County government.

Governor Nyaribo, however, has denied wrongdoing, claiming the tender was awarded during the tenure of his predecessor, the late John Nyagarama, and that he was not involved in the process.

Impeachment attempt overturned

The governor’s appearance comes shortly after he survived an impeachment attempt on December 3, 2025, which he successfully challenged on procedural grounds.

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“Senators have tonight (Wednesday) voted to uphold a preliminary objection raised by Amos Nyaribo, Governor of Nyamira county, opposing his impeachment trial on grounds that the County Assembly did not meet the required threshold in the vote that approved his impeachment. Consequently, the impeachment proceedings stand terminated, and Nyaribo remains in office,” Senate Speaker Amason Kingi said.

The controversy centred on whether the Nyamira County Assembly met the two-thirds threshold required for the impeachment motion.

His defence argued that on November 25, only 19 of the 32 present MCAs were in the chamber, yet 23 votes were recorded due to proxy votes allowed by Assembly Speaker Thadeus Nyabaro. Some MCAs later denied giving authorisation for their proxies.

Debate over proxy voting

“Have we been properly invited, or has a governor come through the door, or has this matter been thrown through the window?” Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot posed while supporting the motion to vote on the preliminary objection.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei added, “The principle under Section 33 has not been met.”

Had the impeachment proceeded to a full trial, MCAs Priscilla Nyatichi, Julius Obonyo, Elijah Abere and Gladys Moraa were expected to testify after disowning letters sent to the speaker authorising proxy voting.

The EACC said its ongoing probe will continue to scrutinise financial records, procurement processes and payments to establish accountability and promote integrity in the management of public resources, particularly in major county construction projects.