The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested 11 people over the alleged theft of Ksh85 million meant for development projects in Eldama Ravine Constituency.
The suspects, among them NG-CDF committee officials and sub-county officers, are accused of misusing public funds allocated to projects between the 2018/2019 and 2020/2021 financial years.
According to EACC, investigations began after complaints emerged that millions of shillings allocated to various constituency projects could not be accounted for, resulting in the collapse or non-completion of several planned developments.
The commission said Eldama Ravine Constituency received Ksh369,052,479 from the NG-CDF Board during the three financial years under investigation.
Detectives established that while only Ksh11,506,173 had been approved for monitoring and evaluation activities, a total of Ksh85,002,440 was allegedly withdrawn in cash from the NG-CDF account under the same expenditure vote.
Following the completion of investigations, the anti-graft agency forwarded the case file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which approved charges against 13 suspects.
Those facing charges include Fund Account Manager Geofrey Koech, former Koibatek Sub-County Accountant Solomon Mwaura Kiratu, NG-CDF Committee Chairman Joseph Kibor Aiyabei and former NG-CDF Committee Secretary Ann Mwihaki Mwangi.
Others listed in the case are Dickson Kiplagat Chelimo, Peter Kiptanui, Evans Kiprono Keter, Stephen Kipyegon Bundotich, Evans Kipngetich Kiptoo, Musa Kiplagat Ngetich, Walter Zali Avihama, Kipruto Yegon and Anthony Cherogony Toroitich.
EACC said the 11 suspects arrested on Thursday were taken to the commission’s South Rift Regional Office in Nakuru for processing before being arraigned in court.
The suspects are expected to face several charges, including abuse of office, conspiracy to commit an economic crime, fraudulent acquisition of public property, false accounting by a public officer, negligence of official duty and failure to comply with laws governing the management of public funds.
The commission has also asked the two remaining suspects, Solomon Mwaura Kiratu and Ann Mwihaki Mwangi, to surrender themselves at the nearest EACC office.
