EACC raids homes of Garissa County officials in Ksh1.2B tender probe
EACC raids homes of Garissa County officials in Ksh1.2B tender probe
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has raided the homes of three county officials who have been linked to a Ksh1.2 billion scandal in Garissa County.
The probe targeted the three officials from the Garissa County government; a fourth suspect, a former county official, is also under scrutiny.
In a statement, EACC confirmed it had conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations, including the homes and offices of the officials in question.
The operation, according to EACC, was conducted under lawful search warrants and led to the discovery of critical evidence which will be crucial for building a case against the officials.
Ongoing investigations cover a number of tenders issued by the county government in recent years, with an alleged construction of a terminal wing at Garissa Airstrip.
The tender is alleged to have been awarded in a manner that contravenes procurement laws, raising questions about transparency and value for money.
Another project under investigation is the construction of a perimeter wall and pavilion at Garissa Primary School, with the EACC seeking to establish whether due process was followed in the awarding of the contract.
There is also controversy surrounding the provision of medical insurance for county staff, with initial reports indicating possible conflicts of interest and inflated costs in awarding the insurance contract.
Subsequently, EACC is examining the procurement process to determine whether there are any improper beneficiaries from the deal.
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A fourth tender under scrutiny involves catering services procured by various departments within the county government, with investigators keen to establish whether the procurement of these services adhered to all legal thresholds and whether services were delivered as contracted.
Further, there are also suspicions of salaries being paid to ghost workers, with the EACC seeking to establish whether non-existent individuals were added to the county’s payroll, causing financial losses to the county.
“Upon conclusion of the investigation, the findings will guide the appropriate course of action, which may include the prosecution of any individuals found culpable, the forfeiture of unexplained assets, and the confiscation of proceeds linked to corruption,” a statement from the commission read.
If found guilty, the suspects could face a spate of charges, including abuse of office, fraudulent acquisition of public property and uttering false documents.
Earlier in September, Garissa Governor Nathif Jama presented himself at the EACC offices, where he recorded a statement relating to the ongoing probe following a summons on August 19.
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