EACC detectives arrest three senior NYS officials, proxies in Sh2 billion graft probe

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has collected "valuable evidential material" from the offices and residences of individuals linked to the ongoing investigation into the alleged embezzlement of Sh2 billion at the National Youth Service (NYS) college in Gilgil.

The suspects, who include three senior officials at NYS, their spouses and proxies, are accused of having abused their positions of trust and authority to embezzle public funds through collusion, procurement fraud and payment for fictitious contracts.

They include: Nicholas Makokha, the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Operations and Logistics, David Muthee Mbogo, the Head of Supply Chain Management at the Gilgil Paramilitary Academy, his two wives, Felista Wanjiru Wandugi and Winfred Cherotich Towett and his brother Elias Muthee, who is also a Director at Marvel Hotel.

Others are his friends and proxies Naftali Kaberu and his wife Florence Muthoni Karanja, as well as Joseph Maina Kagiri, the Accountant at Gilgil Paramilitary Academy.

The anti-graft agency raided the suspects homes on Wednesday, pursuant to orders issued by the court as part of ongoing investigations that are also seeking to establish allegations of conflict of interest and abuse of office by the officers and their co-suspects who are accused of having traded with the NYS through various companies, resulting in payments of a total of Sh2 billion between the financial years 2019/2020 and 2024/2025.

After the searches, the suspects were escorted to the EACC offices at the Integrity Centre in Nairobi for statement recording.

"Today's operations have yielded valuable evidentiary material that will support the ongoing investigations. Upon completion of the inquiry, the outcome will inform appropriate action, including prosecution of any culpable persons and/or recovery of unexplained wealth or proceeds of corruption," the commission said in a statement.