Najib Balala Arrest: Why EACC Pounced on Former Tourism CS
Najib Balala, the ex-Tourism Cabinet Secretary, was apprehended on Thursday by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) investigators due to suspicions of his participation in an alleged corruption scandal amounting to Ksh8 billion.
In an interview with PoliticalPulseChat on Friday, Eric Ngumbi, the spokesperson for EACC, affirmed that the ex-CS was being accused of involvement in deceitful payments linked to the Ronald Ngala Utalii College’s construction.
“There are too many (charges) but they all relate to the fraudulent payment of Ksh8.5 billion in the construction of Utalii College,” he stated.
Moreover, in an August 2023 report from the anti-corruption agency, acquired by PoliticalPulseChat, it was specified that individuals within the Ministry of Tourism estimated the construction expenses for the college to be around Ksh8.5 billion.
Originally, the ongoing mega project was planned to commence with an expenditure of Ksh1.95 billion.
Nevertheless, the project ultimately incurred expenses of Ksh10.4 billion for taxpayers, as estimated by officials from the Tourism Fund.
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“Investigations established that the Cabinet in its memo signed by the Minister for Tourism on May 22, 2007, and Minister for Finance on August 20, 2007, approved the construction of Utalii College in Vipingo for Ksh1.948 Billion.
“It was further established that not the whole amounts paid to the firms were legitimate, as the firms had been overpaid to a total of Ksh1,483,460,914.97,” read the report in part.
Although the EACC didn’t specify Balala’s precise involvement in the purported scandal, it was observed that the CS was confronted with 10 accusations, which included misconduct in his official capacity.
The former CS and his legal team have yet to address the matter.
In the meantime, the EACC is anticipated to transfer Balala to Kilifi County, where he will face charges at the Malindi Law Courts.
Charges
According to the EACC, Balala faces;
Five instances of deliberate non-compliance with procurement laws, in violation of section 45 (2) (b) in conjunction with section 48 (1) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003.
Four instances of illegally obtaining government assets in violation of section 45(1)(a) in conjunction with section 48(1) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003.
A single charge of misusing authority, in violation of section 46 in conjunction with section 48 (1) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, No. 3 of 2003.
Najib Balala Arrest: Why EACC Pounced on Former Tourism CS
