Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has suspended 36 county staff over being involved in corruption.
In a statement on Monday, September 9, Governor Wavinya said the suspension of the staff is a decisive step toward strengthening accountability and good governance in the county.
The suspended officials include billing officers, cashiers, revenue officers, and ICT staff, all linked to malpractice in revenue collection and management.
“Today, during a press briefing, I announced the suspension of 36 county staff implicated in corruption allegations.
“This decisive action demonstrates our solid commitment to promoting integrity and protecting the interests of the people of Machakos,” read part of the statement.
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According to the Machakos Governor, the suspended staff members underreported collected fees, diverted county funds, issued fake receipts and permits.
Governor Wavinya said she has forwarded the names of the 36 staff members to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission for prosecution and recovery of public funds.
Further, the Machakos county boss urged county staff to uphold virtue and ethics in their workplaces.
“Let us reject corruption, embrace transparency, and remain committed to serving our people with honesty,” Wavinya added.
The suspension of the 36 Machakos county workers comes amid an intensified crackdown by the EACC on corrupt government officials.
On September 2, Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok was charged with seven criminal counts, including conflict of interest and money laundering, in connection with alleged irregular payments tied to county government contracts.
According to the prosecution, between November 14, 2019, and March 10, 2021, Governor Barchok unlawfully acquired an indirect private interest of Ksh2 million through dealings with Chemasus Construction Limited, a company contracted by the Bomet County Government.
“The payments were tied to contracts awarded by the County Government of Bomet to Chemasus Construction Limited, including: Tender Number CG/KRB/006/2019-2020 for the route maintenance of Kimenderit–Kotoibek–Olbutyo Bridge Road, and Tender Number CG/DRPWT/004/2018/2019 for the hire of a grader,” the prosecution noted.
Former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati was also charged on September 2 over multiple graft allegations stemming from his tenure as governor between 2018 and 2022.
Wangamati was released on a cash bail of Ksh1.5 million with an alternative bond of Ksh5 million.
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