Homa Bay: Eight summoned as probe on Sh2b fraud nears end

Director of Criminal Investigation (DCI) George Kinoti. [File, Standard]

Suspects in the embezzlement of Sh2 billion at the Homa Bay County government are likely to face charges in early January, police have said.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has signalled the near-end of the investigation that commenced in July this year by summoning eight officials to record statements.

And although investigators had been dispatched to Homa Bay from Nairobi and were operating from Kisumu, the eight are required to report to the DCI headquarters.

According to a letter sent to Homa Bay County secretary, the summoned individuals are expected to appear before detectives on Kiambu Road on Friday and Monday next week.

“Refer to our letter referenced CID/IB/FIU/SEC/4/4/16B VOLII/330 dated July 18, 2017, requesting documents, please note that we have never received any documents as per our request,” the letter dated December 21, 2018, reads in part.

The letter signed by Michael K Sang on behalf of DCI George Kinoti adds: “The following employees of the county are also requested to avail themselves at the DCI headquarters, Nairobi Block “B” ground floor room 12 at 9am on 4th and 7th January, 2019, respectively for statement recording without fail.”

The first officials to appear are head of accounts Daniel Odhiambo Owuor, his assistant, Kepha Jabuya Rombe, the deputy finance and economic head, Noah Ochieng’ Otieno, and Mainda Samuel Mong’are, also from the finance department.

On January 7, County Secretary Isaiah Ogwe, Finance and Economic Planning CEC David Okeyo, accountant Noah Isoche Ojwolo, and an officer named Joseph Rading Otieno are expected.

A senior DCI official told The Standard that the officials would be arraigned before the end of January. 

The DCI commenced the probe following claims that over Sh2 billion had been misappropriated in irregular and unsupported transactions by county chiefs.

“This office is investigating a case of money laundering vide DCI inquiry number 580 of 2017, whereby Homa Bay County standing imprest account is suspected to have fraudulently lost Sh2 billion,” the letter of July 18, 2018, read.