Former GDC boss Silas Simiyu arrested by EACC officials over corruption allegations

Former GDC boss Silas Simiyu

Kenya: Former Geothermal Development Corporation (GDC) boss Silas Simiyu was Monday arrested by the anti-graft agency ahead of his arraignment over corruption claims.

Also arrested were the company’s secretary Praxidis Saisi and all members of the tender committee who included Abraham Saat, Nicholas Karume Weke, Peter Ayodo Omenda, Godwin Mwangae Mwawongo, Caleb Mbayi and Brubo Mugambi.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officials picked them from their Nairobi residences early in the morning and took them to their offices at Integrity Centre, ahead of their arraignment.

“They will be in court probably tomorrow or next week. They were brought here for processing,” said an official at the commission.

The Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko had last week told EACC to arrest the GDC officials over allegations of irregular procurement of Rig Move Service in the financial year 2012/2013.

The officials said they were looking for Kenya Pipeline Company boss Charles Tanui and chief engineer and director of Redline Limited Ngatia Ndungu over an inquiry into allegations of irregular payment of Sh30 million to the Redline company.

Also sought was Elias Maina Karumi and KPC chief engineer Joseph Sirma over graft allegations to face charges as directed by the DPP.

The money is said to have passed through a domiciled account at the Commercial Bank of Africa for the supply, installation and commissioning of three auto transformers procured from Agecelec Industry of France.

The DPP had also directed that Bomet County executive committee member of health and sanitation Stanley Kiplangat and 13 other officials be charged in court over allegations in the procurement procedures against the local government in the leasing of ambulance services from the Kenya Red Cross’ Emergency Plus Medical Service Limited.

Isiolo Governor Godana Doyo will also be prosecuted over allegations of irregular passage of Supplementary Appropriation Act 2014 by the County Assembly on December 2014.

The county deputy speaker David Lemantile, assistant clerk Boru Adan Jirima and the chairman of the budget appropriation committee Abdi Sora will also face prosecution over the claims.

The cases are among those cited in the list of shame that was tabled in Parliament more than seven months ago.

Most of the cases are still in the hands of the commission.

A bulk of the files, on the 175 cases, remains in the hands of EACC, which they say are being investigated.

Of these, the EACC detectives have grilled five Cabinet Secretaries, four Principal Secretaries, two senators, 12 governors and 11 other senior government officials, who include heads of parastatals.

Some of the cases have since been taken to court.