Ksh 8B Saga Haunts Former Tourism CS Najib Balala
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has suggested that former Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala should face prosecution due to accusations of misconduct in office and various economic offenses.
In a recent update on its inquiries into corruption instances published on Friday, the Commission highlighted that the ex-CS underwent an investigation regarding the procurement process of the Ksh10.4 billion Ronald Ngala Utalii College.
The EACC reported that officials from the Tourism Fund artificially increased the institution’s expenses by more than Ksh8 billion.
The money was allegedly paid to various firms for consultancy services.
The commission has also suggested prosecuting a previous Permanent Secretary from the Ministry, who was not explicitly named, for their involvement in supervising the transaction, along with the Trustees of the Catering Tourism and Development Levy.
“It was established that the Tourism Fund contracted private consultants to come up with drawings and designs for the college and also to supervise the main contractor. The drawings and designs were done and approved with a cost estimated at Ksh8.6 billion.
“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 at a cost of Ksh1.948 Billion,” read the report in part.
The EACC confirmed that it had already delivered the investigative file to the Office of the Directorate Of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
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The ODPP will examine the document and provide suggestions on whether the EACC possesses adequate proof to prosecute the individuals.
Of course, the ODPP will either approve the prosecution of Balala and the other officials or suggest conducting further investigations.
“A report was compiled and forwarded to the DPP with recommendations to charge former Cabinet Secretary with five counts of wilful failure to comply with the law relating to procurement contrary to section 45 (2) (b) as read with section 48 (1) of Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003.
“Four counts of unlawful acquisition of public property contrary to section 45(1) (a) as read with section 48 (1) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003 and one count of abuse of office contrary to section 46 as read with section 48 (1) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act,” read the report.
Balala, the second former Cabinet Secretary, is confronting corruption allegations. Additionally, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) suggested pursuing charges against former Treasury CS Ukur Yatani and Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o regarding the contentious procurement of Telkom Kenya.
Ksh 8B Saga Haunts Former Tourism CS Najib Balala
