BOMET: Officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) initiated early morning raids on the homes and offices of senior County Government Officers on Thursday. The raids are part of an investigation into a corruption scandal concerning the procurement of road construction equipment valued at Sh 373 million. The operation targeted County Executive Committee members and Chief Officers, coinciding with President William Ruto’s visit to the county.
According to Kenya News Agency, the plainclothes officers arrived unannounced at the residences of the officials, confiscating documents before proceeding to conduct searches at the County headquarters. EACC spokesperson Eric Ngumba confirmed the raids were executed under court orders, linked to allegations of conflict of interest and embezzlement of public funds amounting to Sh 1.2 billion. These funds were allegedly funneled through fraudulent payments to companies owned by the officials, their family members, and proxies.
The investigation also exte
nds to allegations of abuse of office, unexplained wealth, and the misappropriation of Sh 373 million related to the procurement of 12 heavy road construction machines and trucks during the 2022/2023 financial year. These machines remain unaccounted for. Fred Ngumba noted that the operation has produced evidentiary material to support the ongoing investigations. Officials arrested during the raids have been released after recording statements. Upon completion of the inquiry, the EACC intends to pursue prosecution and recovery of unexplained wealth or proceeds of corruption.
This scandal came to light in August following a whistleblower report to the commission, prompting the current investigations. The EACC has since recorded statements from 13 officers concerning the procurement of equipment, which includes five crawler excavators, five motor graders, and one drum roller. The Sh 373 million deal for these machines is under intense scrutiny.