The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested two more Nyamira County Assembly officials as investigations into alleged irregularities surrounding a Sh367 million office block tender deepen.
The commission says the procurement process may have resulted in a loss of more than Sh30 million in public funds.
Highlights
- Two Nyamira County Assembly officials have been arrested.
- The arrests relate to a Sh367 million office block tender.
- EACC alleges a Sh30.18 million loss to the public.
- The suspects face possible charges linked to abuse of office and public funds.
- Three other county officials have already been charged over the tender.
Main Story
Two Officials Arrested in Kisii
EACC has arrested David Nyarango Ombego and Joyce Onyiego over alleged irregularities in the awarding of a major construction tender by the Nyamira County Assembly.
Ombego serves as the Deputy Clerk and Director of Legislative, Legal Procedure and Committee Services, while Onyiego is the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation.
The commission said the two were apprehended in Kisii County during an operation conducted by its investigators.
They are currently being processed at EACC’s South Nyanza Regional Office in Kisii ahead of their appearance in court.
Sh30 Million Public Funds Allegedly Lost
According to EACC, the investigation centres on the award of a Sh367 million contract for the construction of an office block.
The anti-graft agency alleges that irregularities in the procurement process contributed to a loss of Sh30,187,396 in public funds.
The two officials are expected to face charges including abuse of office, wilful failure to comply with laws governing the management of public resources and negligence in the performance of official duties.
The allegations will now be tested before the courts.
Three Officials Already Charged
The latest arrests bring to five the number of Nyamira County Assembly officials who have been arrested and charged in connection with the tender.
Those previously charged include Nyamira County Assembly Clerk Duke Simeon Onyari, Chief Officer for Roads and Public Works Eng. Josephat Matini Oruru and Infrastructure Officer Simon Ondari Ogecha.
EACC’s continued action signals that the investigation into the multimillion-shilling procurement process remains active, with the commission pursuing officials it believes may have played a role in the alleged irregularities.
As the suspects prepare to face court, the case will focus on whether the tender process complied with procurement and public finance laws and whether public funds were improperly lost.
As the investigation widens, the real test will be whether the alleged loss of public money can be traced to specific actions and whether those responsible are held accountable.
