The anti-graft sleuths yesterday arrested two senior Kilifi County government officials over alleged Sh22million fraud involving the construction of Kadzansani-Adu Kamale water project.
The suspects are in police custody and are set to be arraigned in Malindi court today as Ethic and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) seek two others.
The Director Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji approved the prosecution file following years of investigations on alleged procurement and tendering of the water project, flouting the financial and procurement laws.
Insiders within EACC, yesterday informed the Standard that the two officers were nabbed after Haji approved the file, while two directors of another firm are still at large.
According to the document in the Standard possession, the probe which has been ongoing since June 13, 2016 following a tip-off by residents faulting the county government over irregular procurement and awarding of the tender to the firm at a cost of Sh36.3million.
“The commission commenced investigations and established that the supporting documents that had been submitted by the winning bidder were forged documents,” reads the documents by EACC.
It continued, “The Commission also established that Sh22.3million had been irregularly paid for services not adequately rendered.”
EACC accuses the four of in fraudulent dealings in the tender for construction of Kadzansani-Adu-Kamale water project in the county.
“The DPP has concurred with the commission’s recommendations to charge the directors of (of the firm),” reads the report.
Also, Haji recommended that the two county officials to be charged.
“The charges to be preferred include fraudulent practice in procurement proceedings, fraudulent acquisition of public property, uttering a false document and making documents without authority.”
The anti-graft body complied a statutory report as per Section 35 of the ACECA and forwarded the same.
The suspects are being detained in Malindi, Kilifi County according to inside sources within EACC.
“We have arrested the two and going for the other two,” confirmed an official from EACC privy of the probe.
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He indicated that other investigations are presently underway involving other officers within the county.
Some have had their properties seized by the Assets and Recovery Unit.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has declared an all-out war on corruption in the National and County governments.
The arrests come at a time EACC is probing a number of senior officials in counties and released the corruption index listing Mandera and Kisumu as the top.
In a report tabled before the County Public Account Committee and Investment (CPAIC) chaired by Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang by EACC, northern and Western counties are leading in demanding kickbacks to offer services to ‘wanjiku’.
The list of shame rank counties performance as EACC trains Ethics officers to help in the fight against the vice in counties.
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