EACC nabs four county officials over Sh7m theft in WWI 'decoy event'

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has nabbed four(4) senior officials of the Taita Taveta County Government over alleged mismanagement of public funds.

The four(4) are accused of embezzling Sh7 million belonging to the public.

The suspects are accused of incurring the expenditure purportedly in commemoration of World War I.

Confirming the arrests on Tuesday, EACC spokesperson Eric Ngumbi said that the three(3) suspects were arrested in Taita Taveta while the fourth suspect was arrested in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.

"The four(4) suspects were escorted to EACC Lower Coast regional offices in Mombasa where they will be processed and later detained at Mombasa Central police station pending arraignment before the Mombasa Anti-Corruption Court on Wednesday," Mr Ngumbi said.

The spokesperson said the sleuths commenced investigation upon receipt of a complaint on April 5, 2023, alleging theft of public funds by senior county officials.

The commission said the probe established alleged systemic abuse of office, fraudulent dealings and deliberate violation of procurement laws by the officials.

According to the EACC, expenditure for the alleged World War I event was not budgeted for, the procurement of suppliers was marred with alleged massive fraud and irregularities, and was not competitive.

The commission said the suppliers who received payments did not supply anything to the Taita Taveta County Government and the payment documents supporting the payments were allegedly forged.

“Upon conclusion of the investigation, the resultant file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions who upon independent review concurred with the commission’s recommendation that the suspects be charged with alleged abuse of office, forgery, engaging in a project without prior planning, conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption and uttering false documents contrary to the law,” EACC said in a statement.

The commission said it will move to recover the stolen funds from the suspects.

EACC intervenes only in cases where public funds or public interest is at stake.

In cases where only private interest is at stake, the parties are normally advised to refer the matter to the police for investigation under the penal code or for adjudication as civil matters in courts of law.