Taita Taveta Deputy Speaker Anselm Mwadime Arrested In Ksh17 Million Graft Case
Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission arrested Taita Taveta County Deputy Speaker on Sunday for the loss of Ksh17 million in a fraudulent trip to Zanzibar for bonding.
In a statement, EACC said the deputy speaker, together with Taita Taveta County Assembly Clerk Gadiel Mnyambo Maganga, has been under investigation for the said bonding trip, where the said amount of money was misappropriated after a complaint was lodged.
“The Commission commenced investigations on the complaint and established that 1. a total amount of Kshs 17 million was utilized for the alleged trip out of which, Kshs. 9,000,000.00 (Nine million) was directly paid to the organizers for the conference and travel arrangements and the balance of Kshs. 8 Million was paid as imprest advance to 30 officers who were to attend the training in Zanzibar,” EACC said in part.
It was here that the County Assembly of Taita Taveta allegedly used forged travel clearance letters purportedly issued by the Principal Secretary Ministry of Devolution as authority to travel to Zanzibar.
EACC further revealed that out of the 30 officers who were paid imprest to travel to Zanzibar, 25 officials traveled and spent five nights in Zanzibar and one night locally as opposed to six nights in Zanzibar resulting in a loss of Kshs. 1,033,288.00.
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It was also established that four officials did not travel and that one officer traveled for three nights in Zanzibar. EACC says this resulted in a loss of Kshs. 1,182,263.00.
The corruption watchdog further revealed that officers delegated for the training were paid full daily subsistence allowance while in Zanzibar for five nights, yet Bonfire Adventures through WSPUK had paid accommodation at Marijani Beach Resort and Spa Hotel at $132 per night for the same officers while attending the conference at the hotel. EACC says this resulted in loss of public funds to the tune of Kshs. 3,965,889.00.
After compiling and sharing the findings with the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, who concurred with the findings, EACC is now charging the two with, among others, abuse of office contrary to section 46 as read with section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act no. 3 of 2003, wilful failure to comply with the law applicable, regulations, and guidelines relating to procurement, uttering false documents contrary to section 353 of the Penal Code, false accounting by a public officer, and financial misconduct.
EACC has ordered Mnyambo Maganga to present himself to its Mombasa Regional Office for processing.
Taita Taveta Deputy Speaker Anselm Mwadime Arrested In Ksh17 Million Graft Case
