A High Court in Nairobi has cleared the way for the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to arrest Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok over corruption-related charges.
On Monday, September 1, Governor Barchok appeared before the EACC, hours before the court issued a ruling declining to bar the commission from detaining or prosecuting him.
The court dismissed an application seeking to shield the governor from arrest following recommendations by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga.
Barchok is facing charges linked to allegations of conflict of interest and receipt of funds from firms trading with the County Government of Bomet.
According to a statement by the DPP released on Thursday, last week, investigations established that Barchok received Ksh2.75 million from companies doing business with the county between the 2019/2020 and 2024/2025 financial years.
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Alongside Barchok, Evans Kipkoech Korir, director of Chemasus Construction Limited, is also expected to face charges. The DPP directed that both individuals, as well as the company, be jointly charged with the acquisition of proceeds of crime.
"The EACC recommended that Governor Hillary Kipng’eno Barchok and Evans Kipkoech Korir, the Director of Chemasus Construction Limited, be arraigned in court," the DPP statement read in part.
"Upon thorough review, I have directed that Hillary Kipng’eno Barchok be charged with conflict of interest contrary to section 42(3) as read with section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, and unlawful acquisition of public property," the statement added.
In the same statement, Igonga noted that Ksh70.2 million was misappropriated by former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, several county officials, and directors of private firms involved in county tenders.
DPP Renson Ingonga stated that the money was funnelled through questionable procurement practices and fake companies allegedly linked to officials and individuals close to the ex-governor.
"The EACC recommended that Wycliffe Wafula Wangamati, together with various county officials and company directors, be charged with conflict of interest, acquisition of proceeds of crime, willful failure to comply with procurement laws, and fraudulent practices in procurement proceedings," the statement further read.
Ingonga confirmed that his office had sanctioned a number of charges against Wangamati and his associates.
"I have directed that Wycliffe Wangamati be charged with conflict of interest contrary to section 42(3) as read with sections 38 and 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act," the statement noted.
