EACC can question ex-Nyandarua -official, court says

Former Nyandarua chief finance officer Michael Kamau Kuria. His accounts have been frozen following EACC investigations over graft. [Standard]

The High Court has declined to stop the anti-graft agency from summoning a former Nyandarua County chief finance officer to explain the source of his wealth.

Justice Daniel Ogembo ruled that it will be unsafe to stop the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) from questioning Michael Kamau Kuria before both parties are given a chance to argue their cases.

“There is no agreement between the parties to suspend the summons as the commission is yet to file its response. It will be unsafe to issue any order now. The commission is given two days to file their response before the dispute is fully heard,” ruled Justice Ogembo.

Kuria is seeking to stop the EACC from summoning him, arguing that the agency unprocedurally obtained details of his bank accounts without first giving him a chance to defend his source of wealth.

EACC is investigating the former CFO on suspicion he was engaged in corruption, money laundering and other economic crimes which allowed him to accumulate wealth totalling Sh343 million within a span of three years.

The anti-graft body said it was not possible for Kuria to purchase properties worth Sh186 million and deposit Sh82 million in his company’s account and Sh74 million in his personal account with his modest salary of less than Sh120,000.

EACC summoned Kuria on August 13 to explain how he obtained the wealth on grounds that evidence collected showed suspicious deposits in his account during the period he worked as the county finance boss.

The agency accused Kuria of incorporating Gachomba and Company Properties Ltd and listing his wife, mother and six children as directors. He allegedly used the firm as a vehicle to trade with the county and receive kickbacks from other contractors.

Justice Ogembo scheduled September 18 for hearing of the application.