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Tag: Kenya Graft

  • EACC goes for county officials in bid to recover Ksh1.6B

    EACC goes for county officials in bid to recover Ksh1.6B

    The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is intensifying the war on graft, revealing major progress in high-profile investigations.

    In the past eight months, the Commission says it has completed 89 cases, forwarding 82 of them to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for action.

    Four of the cases involve current and former County Governors; two former Cabinet Secretaries, a Principal Secretary and CEOs and MDs of various State Corporations.

    “Over the past eight months, the Commission has completed eighty-nine (89) high-profile cases. These investigation files have been submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), with recommendations to prosecute eighty-two (82) of the cases”, EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Ahmed Mohamud said.

    He disclosed that more investigations are underway, among them cases involving five sitting  and 11 former governors facing allegations of embezzlement of public funds, money laundering, and unexplained wealth.

    “In addition, the Commission is at an advanced stage of investigating five sitting Governors, 11 former Governors. These investigations relate to allegations of embezzlement of public funds, conflict of interest, money laundering, and possession of unexplained wealth, among other offenses under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act”, he explained.

    In the counties, the Commission is pursuing cases worth Ksh1.6 billion involving over 800 officials linked to irregular payrolls, allowances, and loan embezzlement.

    On asset recovery, EACC said since the beginning of this year, it has recovered 12 properties corruptly acquired, valued at approximately Ksh 600M and over Ksh105M in cash.

    Further, it has averted the possible loss of Ksh7.2 B through proactive investigations.

    Mohamud acknowledged the frustrations of Kenyans regarding the vice, pledging to upscale both preventive and enforcement efforts.

    “Notwithstanding the aforementioned interventions, there is a continued feeling by Kenyans, especially the youthful population, that the level of corruption in the country is on the increase. This concerns the Commission as it does every responsible citizen of this country”, he noted.

    “While the Commission acknowledges the frustration by Kenyans, I wish to assure the country that the Commission will upscale both its preventive and enforcement mandates geared towards effectively combating corruption in the country”, he committed.

     

     

  • Judiciary unveils anti-corruption strategic guiding framework

    Judiciary unveils anti-corruption strategic guiding framework

    Chief Justice Martha Koome has unveiled an Anti-Corruption Strategic Guiding Framework for Kenya’s justice sector that is aimed at fostering a robust, transparent, and accountable justice system that proactively addresses the multifaceted challenges posed by corruption.

    CJ Koome emphasized that the framework equips Justice Sector Agencies with a clear roadmap of well-defined interventions, spanning short-term, mid-term, and long-term efforts in the fight against corruption.

    “By fostering inter-agency collaboration and partnerships, we can effectively combat corruption, enhance service delivery, and restore hope to our nation. This is an opportunity to turn the tide,” stated CJ Koome.

    Further, the CJ noted that the National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) had renewed its commitment to both prevention and response strategies in the battle against corruption and economic crimes.

    “As duty-bearers, we acknowledge that the fight against corruption is not only a legal issue but a moral imperative. It is our responsibility to safeguard our national values, ensure justice prevails, and promote transparent and accountable governance. We can no longer treat this issue as an insurmountable challenge; rather, we must see it as an urgent call to action,” she emphasized.

    She reaffirmed the Judiciary’s dedication to the anti-corruption effort, highlighting that the Judiciary had set up Court Integrity Committees in all courts to address service delivery challenges at the grassroots level.

    “These committees will work diligently to identify and seal potential corruption loopholes,” said CJ Koome, while encouraging all other NCAJ agencies to establish their own integrity committees.

    To ensure the effective implementation of the Framework, Justice Koome urged all government agencies to strengthen their commitment to their constitutional mandates and to offer mutual support during the implementation process.

    “I cannot overstate the importance of adequate resource allocation from the National Treasury in implementing our interventions. Additionally, I call on Parliament to fully support the legal reforms outlined in the framework, as they are essential tools in our efforts to combat corruption,”she urged.

    Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Winfridah Mokaya called on justice sector players to lead by example, ensuring that justice is delivered without undue influence, favoritism, or unethical practices. She emphasized that the Framework would serve as a structured roadmap to effectively combat corruption and build a justice system that inspires trust and confidence among all Kenyans.

    National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula noted that the Anti-Corruption Strategic Guiding Framework for the Justice Sector aims to improve the justice sector’s efficiency and effectiveness in preventing and responding to corruption and economic crimes and aims to enhance accountability, transparency and public trust, and ultimately foster sustainable socio-economic development in Kenya.

    National Treasury and Economic Planning Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi underscored the pervasive impact of corruption, noting its potential to undermine political, social, and economic stability, erode respect for the law, and empower criminal syndicates and terrorists. He pointed out the intrinsic link between corruption and money laundering, stating that offenses like bribery and theft of public funds are often committed to illicitly amass wealth.

    CS Mbadi called on justice sector stakeholders to devise innovative financing methods to support their mandates. He proposed that recovered proceeds of corruption should be reinvested into the system to bolster ongoing anti-corruption efforts. “While we commit to providing resources, the sector must also explore alternative financing avenues,” he remarked.

    He added: “Anti-Corruption Strategic Guiding Framework provides us with measures to fight corruption and economic crimes, enhance accountability, and restore public trust in government institutions. It is not just a policy document – it is a call to action. CS Mbadi said.

  • MP Sudi’s forgery case resumes this week

    MP Sudi’s forgery case resumes this week

    The forgery case against Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi is coming up for mention this Wednesday.

    Four high-profile cases have been lined up for this week at the Milimani Anti-Corruption court in Nairobi, according to a schedule by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

    The legislator is charged with forging his academic certificates and submitting a false declaration to IEBC during the 2013 general election.

    A similar case against an employee of the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) will be heard in the same court on Wednesday.

    Javason Kimemia Maina faces several charges including forging a KCSE certificate from Kimuri Secondary School to secure a job at the agency.

    “He is charged with fraudulent acquisition of public funds, forgery, and uttering false documents. Allegations relate to forgery of documents to obtain employment” said EACC on X.

    This comes amid a heightened crackdown on public servants who acquired their positions using fake certificates.

    Other cases include that of former Geothermal Development Company (GDC) Managing Director Silas Masinde and eight others whose hearing is slated for Friday, April 5. They are charged with willful failure to comply with the Law relating to procurement.

    “The allegations relate to irregular procurement at GDC emanating from rig move services tender that was awarded at Kes42.7 million per move” the EACC schedule reads.

    It will be preceded by an EACC recovery suit coming up for mention on Thursday against Estama Investments Ltd and 13 others. The company is at the centre of the Ministry of Health’s mobile clinics scandal.

    EACC is seeking to recover Ksh800 million illegally paid to the defendants through an award of an overvalued tender of the supply of 100 portable medical clinics to the Ministry of Health.

  • High profile court cases this week

    High profile court cases this week

    The courts are in the spotlight this week as they determine various cases involving high-profile individuals.

    Former PC Davis Nathan Chelogoi who spent the weekend in remand was the first to be arraigned in court Monday morning over a Ksh1.35 billion land case.

    He was however released on Ksh 5M cash bail or an alternative of Ksh 10M bond with the case coming up for mention this Wednesday.

    The former administrator was set to plead to charges of conspiracy to defraud a businessman of 7.39 hectares of land valued at Ksh1.35 billion located in the Lower Kabete area but failed to show up.

    Popular disc jockey Joe Mfalme has been arraigned over the alleged fatal assault of a senior Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officer in Kikuyu.

    The DJ was arrested over the weekend alongside three police officers based at the Kikuyu Police Station.

    His Miscellaneous application is ongoing at Kibira Law Court with the DCI seeking to detain him for 21 days to complete investigations.

     

    DJ Joe Mfalme and three others in court over allegedly beating a DCI officer to death

    Other notable graft suspects with court cases this week include former Kiambu Governor Ferdinard Waititu together with his family members, senior county officials, and former Chairperson of the National Land Commission (NLC) Dr. Mohammed Swazuri.

    Waititu and 12 others are charged with conflict of interest, abuse of office and dealing with suspect property.

    Allegations relate to Mr Waititu’s receipt of Ksh25.6 million in respect to payments made to Testimony Enterprises Limited for Contracts awarded by the Kiambu County Government when he was the Governor.

    The hearing is scheduled for this week at Milimani Anti-Corruption Court.

    According to a schedule released by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the mention of a case against former PS Sammy Kipngetich is slated for this week.

    The allegations relate to irregular purchase of land in Machakos at Ksh283.2 million, for cemetery use by the City Council of Nairobi. He will appear alongside 13 others.

    Also on the lineup for mention at Milimani, this Wednesday is a case against former National Land Commission (NLC) Chairman Muhammad Swazuri and 16 others.

    They are charged with conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption, and abuse of office.

    “Allegations relate to fraud in the compensation for acquisition of public land for the construction of the SGR occasioning Kenya Railways Corporation a loss of Kes221.4 million” stated EACC.

    Andrew Biketi Musuya, a former principal accountant in Trans Nzoia County is set to appear in court Tuesday for the hearing of a forfeiture suit for Ksh283 million being un-explained wealth.

    Others are former Isiolo county officials charged with willful failure to comply with the law relating to management of public funds, and fraudulent practice in procurement proceedings.

    Ali Godana Wako, a former town administrator and 13 others face allegations related to procurement irregularities in the purchase of a fire engine by the County Government of lsiolo for Ksh46.8 million.

    Photos by Ruth Wamboi

     

     

  • Ruto: My resolve to fight corruption is unstoppable

    Ruto: My resolve to fight corruption is unstoppable

    President William Ruto has said his resolve to fight corruption in the country is unstoppable.

    He insisted that the corrupt must toe the line or be punished.

    He noted that Kenya has suffered immensely due to corruption, theft and wastage of public resources.

    “We cannot continue to entertain this. We need a lasting break. All thieves must stop their acts.”

    He warned those who use politics and courts to protect thieves that their time is up.

    “There is no place for such people. Change, leave Kenya or go to jail.”

    He spoke on Wednesday at the Kakamega State Lodge during a consultative meeting with Western Kenya leaders led by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula.

    Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha, Governors Fernandes Barasa (Kakamega), Paul Otuoma (Busia), Wilber Ottichilo (Vihiga), Ken Lusaka (Bungoma), UDA Secretary-General Cleophas Malala, COTU Secretary-General Francje Atwoli, MPs, MCAs and grassroots leaders were also present.

    The President added that these are not threats but a call for action.

    He told the meeting that he was shocked that anybody in Kenya can protect corruption in the country.

    “We cannot afford to defend what has made Kenya go backwards.”

    He told the Opposition to stop wasting their time defending thieves.

    The President maintained that it is time Kenya led from front in decency.

    He pledged to take the fight to the sugar sector that is dogged by cartels.

    “We will sort out the entire sugar sector because we are spending a lot of money to import sugar,” he explained.

    He argued that the Government will revive the industry “so that we can produce locally and help drive our economy”.

    He proposed the setting up of more sugarcane mills to support the existing ones in production.

    Meanwhile, President Ruto has asked leaders to work together in transforming Kenya.

    He said he was keen on bringing together leaders from different political backgrounds and with diverse views to build the country.

    He noted that the union will help enrich the Kenya Kwanza Plan and grow the economy.

    Mr Gachagua said Kenya was on the path to recovery and growth.

    “We will work with all leaders to change the lives of Kenyans,” said Mr Gachagua.

    Mr Mudavadi asked the region to rally behind the Government.

    “This is where our future lies,” he said.

    Governors and MPs in attendance pledged to support the Governor.

    They said they were all legitimately elected, just like the President, and will work together to transform Kenya.

    Later, the President launched the Kakamega County Aggregation and Industrial Park in Likuyani.

    He also officially opened the Kenya Medical Training College Navakholo Campus, which he laid its foundation stone in July 2018.