Homa bay: The hearing of a case involving the alleged loss of over Sh348 million by the County Government of Homa Bay was postponed after the presiding Magistrate recused herself due to a conflict of interest. Chief Magistrate Jacinta Orwa stepped down from the case, revealing that some of the accused individuals were her neighbors.

According to Kenya News Agency, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had recently recommended the prosecution of six individuals linked to the embezzlement of public funds. The accused include former County Assembly Clerk Daniel Kaudo, former acting clerk Faith Apuko, and Senior Quantity Surveyor at the State Department of Public Works, Patrick Tunoi. Others implicated are Hartland Enterprises Limited Director James Oyuka, Principal Nurse at Homa Bay Referral Hospital Mary Oduor, and former Lands Executive Roseline Odhiambo.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) had submitted an inquiry file to the ODPP, highlighting alleged procurement irregularities involving the suspects. Magistrate Orwa has now directed that the case be transferred to the Homa Bay High Court for further instructions. She emphasized the necessity for the presiding Judge at the High Court to either take on the case or appoint another court with the appropriate jurisdiction to handle the proceedings.

Currently, Homa Bay lacks a dedicated anti-corruption court to manage such cases, further complicating the judicial process in this matter.