EACC sleuths detain Nairobi County Secretary over graft allegations

Acting Nairobi County Secretary and CECM Devolution and Public Management Pauline Kahiga. [Boniface Okendo/Standard]

Anti-graft sleuths arrested acting Nairobi County Secretary Pauline Kahiga over claims she refused to cooperate and provide crucial documents needed for investigations.

Ethics and Antic-Corruption Commission (EACC boss Twalib Mbarak said Ms Kahiga had declined to cooperate in an ongoing investigation over graft allegations at City Hall.

The detectives detained the officer at EACC headquarters where she was grilled before being booked at Kilimani Police Station.

She was later released on a police bond and ordered to go back tomorrow with the documents and personnel needed to facilitate the probe.

“We had asked for some documents two weeks ago. She promised to bring the documents but up to date, the officers are unable to access them. Her conduct is in breach of the law,” said the EACC Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

He explained that the matter under probe touch on procurement and misappropriation of funds following numerous complaints lodged by the public.

“Failure to cooperate with us also hamper the probe,” he said.

Though her arrest was characterized by an hour-long scuffle in the office on Wednesday, Kahiga was eventually picked and driven to the EACC offices.

The investigators stormed Kahiga's office in search of documents sought, which they say could help ascertain corruption allegations at the county.

A standoff ensued as county's security officers engaged in push and pull between with EACC officers and the Inspectorate officers who went on in Kahiga's office to get the documents.

Under Governor Mike Sonko’s administration, the office of the County Secretary has not had a substantive occupant.

Though this concern was raised in the Senate by Senator Johnstone Sakaja among others, the county chiefs was very categorical that his actions are purely to safeguard public resources by fighting run away graft in the county.

The Members of the County Assembly also share the same concerns as the senate.

The county secretary is doubles as the Human Resource (HR) of the county executive and handle all operations.

Kahiga’s arrest comes at a time Sonko's government has been censured by the Auditor General Edward Ouko over financial malpractices and abuse of office.