EACC officials on Wednesday, February 26, arrested senior officers in Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu's administration alleged to be involved in the rigged process of award of tenders for the development of the Athi Kilawa Irrigation project in the county.
In a statement, the anti-corruption body accused the two of conflict of interest and overseeing a rigged process in the award of the tender in the Ksh7.5 million project.
“Following investigations into allegations of conflict of interest and bid-rigging in the procurement of Athi Kilawa Irrigation Scheme Project we have arrested the following: Mr. Alexander Kimanzi-Deputy County Secretary Kitui County Government and Joshua Munyaka-head of procurement.
“Mr. Joseph Musyoka-Director TSC Loitoktok, Mami Wambua-former Chief Officer, Ministry of Coordination of County affairs. They will jointly take a plea on 27th February 2020 before Kitui Anti-Corruption Court,” reads the statement published on Twitter.
“The Suspects will be charged with two counts: Abuse of office and failure to comply with the law or applicable procedure relating to the award of a tender amounting to the sum of Kshs. 7,506,765,” the statement further reads.
On January 17, 2019, three former Kitui County officials were arrested and charged in a Machakos court with irregular and fraudulent awarding of tenders.
During the arrest, DCI detectives through a statement indicated that the Director of Public Prosecutions approved the arrest of the suspects after a series of thorough investigations linked the suspects to corruption and misconduct while serving as county officials.
"The EACC has been conducting investigations into allegations that the Kitui County government irregularly awarded tenders for the construction of various roads and river drifts at a cost of Sh 891,039,308.
"Upon review of the report and recommendations therein, the DPP gave consent to immediately charge the suspects with several offences including abuse of office and fraudulent practice in procurement among others," read the statement.
The commission also indicated that they were in pursuit of the former Lands Chief Officer Shadrack Muli Munyithia.
On Wednesday, February 26, the EACC also confirmed the arrest of Kilifi North Sub- County Director of Education Eunice Chari Mwalaa for seeking and receiving a bribe of Ksh50,000 from a Director of a private school.
"The Ministry of Education officer sought the bribe from the proprietor of Bright Beginning Academy so that she could grant her extension of time for registration of the school," read the tweet.
