Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Mombasa Regional Office have arrested 9 suspects including 6 officials of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) over graft involving a Ksh 62million tender.
The suspects were presented before the Mombasa Anti-Corruption Court following their arraignment on Wednesday, January 24 morning.
In a statement, EACC noted that the suspects allegedly executed a scheme to embezzle public funds through a tender awarded to a company they are linked to.
The anti-graft commission further stated that all the suspects will face charges related to conflict of interest, fraudulent acquisition of public property and forgery of the documents used in the scam.
“Investigations established that the suspects executed a fraudulent scheme to embezzle public funds through a tender awarded to a company linked to them,
“They will be charged with conflict of interest, fraudulent acquisition of public property and forgery of the documents used in the scam,” EACC stated.
Among the officials set to be arraigned is Yobesh Oyaro – Former Head of Procurement and Supplies, KPA, David Angwenyi – Member of the Evaluation Committee, KPA Norah Mugambi – Member of the Evaluation Committee, KPA, Athanase Wambari – Member of the Evaluation Committee, KPA, and Robert Bosuben – Senior Clerical Officer at the Civil Engineering Department, KPA.
Other officials arrested are David Arika – Member of the Evaluation Committee, KPA, Azenath Kwamboka Mageto – Agent of Chemiso East Africa, Rose Cherotich – Account signatory of Chemiso East Africa and Idd Arube Nanyang – Agent of Chemiso East Africa.
Also Read: EACC Goes After Govt Officials with More Than One Position
Previous Arrests By EACC
However, this is not the first time the anti-graft commission is arresting government officials.
The recent case was on Monday January 23rd, 2024, when EACC arrested two government officials from Nairobi County over allegations of redirecting county revenue.
The scheme allegedly involved the suspects asking a client, who came to pay annual parking fees for his commercial vehicles totaling Ksh 45,000, to transfer the amount to one of the officer’s private bank account and in return, he was promised a reduced payment.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) confirmed the deception when the complainant saw that the portal displayed his parking fees as fully paid for the year, despite not making any actual deposit.
Senior Officials in Isiolo Arrested
Additionally, on Wednesday 17th January, detectives attached to the anti-graft commission arrested seven senior county government officials from Isiolo.
Also Read: EACC Arrests Two Suspects Over Graft in KDF Recruitment
The commission said that the suspects were arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court on corruption charges relating to Ksh 58,560,000 procurement fraud in the County Government of Isiolo.
The anti – graft commission said that the tender for the supply and delivery of a fire engine was corruptly awarded in the Financial Year (FY) 2018/2019.
Furthermore, these arrests mark part of the commissions efforts to fight graft within government institutions and organizations.
