EACC freezes firms' accounts in Sh26 million fraud probe

The High Court has frozen two bank accounts of companies linked to the suspected embezzlement of Sh26 million from Wajir County. 

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) had sought orders to seize the firms’ accounts at KCB’s Wajir branch.

The companies are under probe for allegedly receiving and misappropriating money meant for the purchase of two cars for Governor Mohamed Abdi Mohamud. 

The Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division of the High Court also granted EACC orders to seize a secondhand Land Cruiser VX 8 allegedly bought using part of the money. 

On Tuesday, High Court Judge Hedwig Ong’udi directed that the accounts of Daayo Construction & General Supplies Limited and Fine Trust Construction Co Ltd be frozen for six months to allow EACC to complete its investigations.

According to court documents, tender number WCG/416/2017-2018 was irregularly awarded to Daayo Construction & General Supplies Limited, whose directors are Ahmed Abdi Jimale and Osman Abdi Jimale. The money was not contained in the budget of the county for the financial year.

EACC obtained a warrant to probe the firm and realised that Sh26 million had been transferred to its account on July 2, 2018.

A day after Daayo was paid, the firm wired Sh14 million to Cosmos Cars Limited to ostensibly purchase one of the cars.

On the same day, July 3, 2018, Daayo transferred the balance of Sh12 million to Fine Trust Construction Co Ltd.