Editor's Review

The suspects are linked to allegations of conflict of interest and embezzlement of public funds.

Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have arrested eight senior Bomet County government officials over an alleged embezzlement of Ksh1.5 billion.

In a statement on Thursday, October 24, EACC disclosed that the officials were apprehended following a successful investigation at their homes and offices.

"Following media inquiries, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) confirms that today, Thursday, October 24, the commission has conducted a successful investigative operation in the residences and offices of eight suspects including County Executive Committee members, chief officers and other senior officials of the county government of Bomet," EACC spokesperson Eric Ngumbi stated.

Ngumbi noted that the suspects are linked to allegations of conflict of interest and embezzlement of public funds to the tune of Ksh1.2 billion through fraudulent payments made to companies owned by the officials, their family members, and proxies.

They are also linked to allegations of abuse of office by obtaining unexplained wealth and theft of Ksh373 million in the procurement of 12 heavy road construction machines and trucks during financial 2022/2023, which EACC said cannot be accounted for.

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File image of EACC headquarters in Nairobi.

“The suspects have allegedly abused their positions of trust and authority to embezzle public funds through collusion, procurement fraud, and payments for non-existent or substandard services,” Ngumbi added.

However, the EACC spokesperson stated that suspects were released after recording statements with the commission.

“Today's operation has yielded valuable evidentiary material that will support the ongoing investigations. Meanwhile, the suspects arrested during the exercise have been released after recording their statements at various EACC and other government offices,” Ngumbi  explained.

He affirmed that upon completion of the investigation, the outcome would inform appropriate action, including prosecution of any culpable persons and recovery of unexplained wealth or proceeds of corruption.