The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) on Wednesday announced that it had commenced investigations into Ksh1.2 billion alleged fraud involving 8 Garissa County Government officials.
In a statement posted on its official handles, the EACC communicated that it had completed investigations into the alleged corruption. The officials in question are accused of engaging in conflict of interest and embezzlement of public funds.
According to the EACC, the 8 County Government officials are accused of trading directly and indirectly with the County Government through companies owned by themselves, close family members and their associates.
“The operation, which is part of the ongoing investigation, was undertaken under court orders targeting senior officials of the county government, their proxies, and companies associated with them,” the EACC statement read in part.
The companies, which the Anti-Graft Commission was still hesitant to disclose, were used to embezzle public funds from the county procurement department.
The Anti-Graft body, during the Tuesday operation, recovered valuable evidentiary materials that will support the ongoing probe.
Even as the investigation continues to establish evidence that will meet the prosecution threshold in the court of law, the commission announced its commitment to expediting the investigation and prosecuting all the suspects if they are found guilty.
Additionally, the commission assured the public and vowed to recover any stolen public funds.
In the ongoing investigations, EACC further urged Garissa residents to volunteer information on suspected misappropriation of public funds at the devolved unit.
"The residents of Garissa County with any information on misappropriation of public funds at the county level are urged to volunteer such information.”
The commission has vowed to hide the identity of any individual who will disclose any information on fraud.
This comes after EACC on Tuesday revealed it was partnering with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to repatriate proceeds of corruption stashed abroad.
The FBI, through its Director Christopher Wray, committed to supporting the EACC through training and acquisition of modern investigative tools and equipment.
