Editor's Review

They allegedly doctored the tender documents to approve the release of Ksh13 million to the said businessmen.

Five former senior officials from the Nyandarua County government have been arrested after awarding Ksh13 billion to businessmen who supplied nothing to the devolved unit.

The five who are Rose Esther Muthoni Wamuiya (Former CEC Member, Trade), Vincent Muiruri Wambui, Sophia Wairimu Karanja, Shadrack Kanyungo Ndirangu and Timothy Ngunjiri Kiragu were arrested by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Wednesday night January 31.

EACC accused the five former officials of orchestrating a scheme where they forged documents indicating six suppliers facilitated a county conference which did not take place.

They allegedly doctored the tender documents to approve the release of Ksh13 million to the said businessmen.

File image of the Nyandarua County Assembly. PHOTO | COURTESY

"Investigations established that the suspects forged documents to falsely show that the suppliers facilitated a County Investment Conference, which did not take place," EACC stated.

The five will be presented before a Nakuru Anti-corruption Court on Thursday, February 1. They are expected to be charged with offences relating to the fraudulent payment of Ksh13 million to 6 suppliers who did not supply anything to the County Government. 

The Commission is pursuing three other suspects believed to be hiding to evade arrest who include Simon Mwangi Nganga (Former CEC Member, Water ), Daniel Kamua Muguko (Chief Officer, Trade) and Regina Wairimu Wacira (Chief Auditor).

The arrests signal EACC's continued push in the purge against graft in the country. For the last five days, over 10 officials have been apprehended under different circumstances on corruption allegations.

On Tuesday, January 30, a person posing as a personal assistant to a Principal Secretary was arrested inside a restaurant with Ksh1.5 million bribe money.

The suspect had promised an unsuspecting jobseeker to help him secure a Chief Executive Officer position at a company in the Nyanza region.

He was however arrested after the suspect reported the matter to EACC.