Top Corrupt Counties Unveiled- EACC
A report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has identified several of the most corrupt counties in the country’s northeast.
The report presented to the Senate’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) on Thursday, September 8, Marsabit County leads with 90 cases, followed by Samburu County with 87 cases, Wajir County with 32 cases, and Mandera County with 22 cases.
In particular, Senator Mohamed Chute of Marsabit demanded to know how many cases the commission has referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions in response to allegations of corruption in the four counties.
In response, the commission stated that the cases are part of 231 corruption-related investigations in which it seeks to apprehend and prosecute perpetrators in four counties.
“The Commission has prioritized 67 high impact cases which have been completed or are at various advanced stages of investigation,” the report read in parts.
According to EACC Chief Executive Officer Twalib Mbarak, a number of the cases involve investigations into the inflation of tenders for the procurement of goods like tractors and automobiles.
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EACC also highlighted several successes they have had in the counties, including the ongoing prosecution of the former governor of Samburu, Moses Kasaine Lennolkulal.
“Allegations of embezzlement of public funds by officials of the county government of Wajir amounting to Ksh26.1 million has been finalized in court and the accused convicted.
“There is also an inquiry into allegations of irregular recruitment to fill 23 positions by the Samburu County Assembly as well as claims of misappropriation of public funds by the county government in the purchase of survey equipment at an inflated cost of Ksh9.6 million,” Mbarak stated.
In Marsabit, the EACC is attempting to recover misappropriated funds in six cases where county officials are suspected of misappropriating funds donated for borehole drilling and tree planting.
Similarly, there is an investigation into the Ksh20 million food aid contract awarded to a local Marsabit company.
In the same county, it was also alleged that approximately Ksh20 million was improperly spent on the excavation of a water pan.
Mbarak also told the Senate committee that many of the cases that were presented to the DPP for prosecution have been referred back to the agency for further investigations.
Top Corrupt Counties Unveiled- EACC
