Govt Scammed Ksh137M by Fake Fishermen: EACC Reveals
Wednesday, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) disclosed that it had filed a lawsuit to prevent the payment of Ksh137.5 million to fraudulent beneficiaries claiming to be legitimate fishermen whose livelihoods were disrupted by the construction of the Lamu Port.
In a statement, the EACC explained that the decision followed a comprehensive investigation into allegations of fraud totaling Ksh1.7 billion, of which Ksh137 million is a part.
The anti-corruption organization requests that the court issue orders halting payment to 4,734 individuals, citing the fact that investigations revealed the claims to be tainted with irregularities.
“EACC seeks to replace the fraudulent list with the validated list of legitimate beneficiaries,” the anti-corruption agency said in a statement.
“The investigation has identified genuine recipients, ghosts on the existing list, and genuine fishermen who were omitted due to fraudulent practices.”
If the court grants EACC’s requests, the government will save Ksh137 million, which will be used to compensate meritorious cases.
Lamu Port Compensation
The Kenya Ports Authority began collecting, validating, and verifying the signatures and bank account information of 4,734 fishermen in March 2023 as the agency prepared to complete the compensation.
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According to a court order, the agency was required to compensate affected individuals for a total of Ksh1.7 billion.
The court’s directive stipulated that the allocated funds would be allocated as follows: 65% for direct financial compensation to the fishermen and 35% for enhancing the long-term viability of fishing activities in Lamu County.
The Lamu Port, which was inaugurated by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in May 2021, is a component of the flagship Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia-Transport (LAPSSET) project, which is anticipated to contribute to the country’s economic growth and facilitate the movement of goods along the corridor.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta emphasized during the project’s inauguration that the project would play a pivotal role in connecting Kenya to South Sudan, Ethiopia, and the middle belt of Africa, thereby fostering increased regional trade and connectivity.
President William Ruto announced in June of this year that his administration would continue the development of Kenyan ports begun by the Jubilee administration.
Ruto added that his government would accomplish this by leasing the operations and administration of five key ports through a Ksh1.4 trillion Public-Private Partnership (PPP), which will revitalize the nation’s maritime industry.
Govt Scammed Ksh137M by Fake Fishermen: EACC Reveals