Northern Kenya

EACC investigates alleged embezzlement of over Sh1.2bn by Garissa officials

Integrity Centre in Nairobi, the headquarters of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). (Photo: File)

By Abdirahman Khalif | Wednesday, June 12, 2024

The officials are suspected of directly and indirectly trading with the County Government through companies owned by themselves, close family members, and associates.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) confirmed that on Tuesday, it conducted a an investigative operation targeting eight senior officials of the Garissa County Government.

These officials are currently under investigation for alleged corruption involving conflict of interest and embezzlement of public funds amounting to over Sh1.2 billion.

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The officials are suspected of directly and indirectly trading with the County Government through companies owned by themselves, close family members, and associates.

"The operation, part of an ongoing investigation, was undertaken pursuant to court orders. These orders targeted senior county officials, their proxies, and associated companies allegedly used to embezzle public funds from the county," EACC said.

The EACC stated that the operation yielded valuable material that will support the ongoing investigation.

The Commission noted that upon completion, the outcome will inform appropriate action, which may include the prosecution of suspects and the recovery of any stolen public funds.

The EACC also urged residents of Garissa County to volunteer any information on the misappropriation of public funds in confidence through the anonymous reporting system on the EACC website.

Those arrested include officials from the Garissa County Secretary's office, the County's Health Services office, and a senior official from the Garissa Referral Hospital.

The arrests follow days after Garissa Governor Nathif Jama appeared before the Senate alongside County Secretary Mohamud Mursal. The Senate was investigating the management of the county without the appointment of chief officers.

The investigation focused on why the Governor has been leading the county since 2022 without these principal accounting officers in the devolved departments.

The Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations also summoned Controller of Budget Margret Nyakang'o. She was compelled to explain how funds were disbursed to the county without chief officers.

Nyakang'o informed the committee that the devolved units had sent her a list of 12 officers designated as Authority to Incur Expenses (AIE) holders.

The county has since appointed 40 chief officers. These officers are currently being vetted by the Garissa County Assembly.