The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested seven current and former senior officials of the Nakuru County Government, alongside a contractor, over an alleged conflict of interest and procurement fraud involving county contracts worth more than Sh120 million.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Commission said the arrests followed investigations into contracts valued at Sh120,042,417, which were allegedly awarded irregularly between the 2020/2021 and 2024/2025 financial years.
According to EACC, the investigations centred on Lorna Karamuta Mubichi, an Economist II at the Nakuru County Government, who allegedly used companies owned by her husband to conduct business with the county while serving as a public officer.
The firms, Denken Building & Construction Limited, Murinchamba Investments Limited and Windcom Solutions Limited were awarded 29 contracts, receiving cumulative payments amounting to Sh120,042,417.
The Commission said investigations established that the companies were owned and controlled by Ms Mubichi’s husband, Kenneth Muriithi Ndubi, either solely or jointly with his brother, Brian Mwenda Ndubi.
EACC further alleged that the firms used false documents to secure the tenders and that part of the contract proceeds was transferred to joint bank accounts held by Ms Mubichi and her husband. Investigators also traced payments from the contracts to several senior county officials.
“The Commission found that Ms Mubichi’s private financial interests in the companies owned by her husband were in direct conflict with her official duties as an employee of the County Government of Nakuru, contrary to the principles of integrity and accountability expected of public officers,” the statement read.
Following the investigations, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) approved the prosecution of nine suspects on charges including conflict of interest, money laundering, acquisition of proceeds of crime, engaging in corrupt procurement practices, and wilful failure to comply with procurement laws.
Among those arrested are Chief Officers Daniel Ndung’u Wainaina (Medical Services), Kennedy Mungai Barasa (Roads and Infrastructure), Timothy Kiogora Muriithi (Water), Nakuru City Manager Peter Gitau Thabanja, and Solomon Sirma, the Baringo County Executive Committee Member for Finance and former Nakuru Chief Officer for Health.
The suspects are expected to be arraigned before the Nakuru Law Courts on July 31, 2026. Meanwhile, EACC directed Brian Mwenda Ndubi and Josphat Kimemia, Chief Officer for Youth Affairs and Sports, who are believed to have gone into hiding, to report to the Commission’s South Rift Regional Office in Nakuru or the nearest EACC office for processing.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding public resources and urged public institutions to strengthen compliance with the Conflict of Interest Act, 2025.
