The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has confirmed the apprehension of former Kirinyaga Deputy Governor Peter Ndambiri over alleged graft and misuse of office.
In a statement on Monday, May 19, EACC's CEO, Abdi Mohamud, said that the former deputy governor was apprehended together with the Director of Jestam Enterprises over the irregular award of a road construction tender worth Ksh7.2 million during the 2018/2019 financial year.
According to the commission, after investigations, it was discovered that the former deputy governor awarded the tender to Jestam Enterprises Ltd, whose director is his brother-in-law.
"EACC has today, 19th May 2025, arrested the former Kirinyaga County Deputy Governor, Peter Ndambiri, and Peter Meeni, Director of Jestam Enterprises Ltd, in connection with the irregular award of a road construction tender worth Ksh7,150,000.00," EACC stated.
"Investigations by the Commission established that Jestam Enterprises Ltd was incorporated on 13th October 2017, with Peter Meeni, a brother-in-law to Ndambiri, as the sole director. Hon. Ndambiri was, however, the sole signatory to the company's bank account held at Ecobank," he added.
At the time the tender was advertised, according to the EACC, the company was not registered with the National Construction Authority (NCA) and had, in turn, forged a registration certificate for it to be awarded the tender.
After being awarded the tender, the former deputy governor went ahead, between February 26, 2019, and February 5, 2019, and withdrew Ksh5.5 million as part of the contract sum the company was to be paid.
Following the irregular tender award, the duo will face multiple charges, including conflict of interest, fraudulent acquisition of public property, fraudulent practice in a procurement process, and conducting business without a valid NCA certificate.
"Both suspects pleaded not guilty. The court granted cash bail of Ksh200,000 for Hon. Peter Ndambiri and Ksh300,000 for Peter Meeni. The case is set for pre-trial directions on 11th June 2025," the commission stated.
The announcement comes hours after the commission also announced the arrest of the Trans Nzoia Governor, George Natembeya, for alleged irregular procurement and fictitious payments of Ksh1.4 billion by the County Government of Trans-Nzoia during the Financial Years 2022/2023 and 2024/2025.
The commission confirmed that investigations focused on three major projects awarded by the county government during this period, which include the rehabilitation and modernisation of Kenyatta Stadium (phase 1A), the construction of the Trans-Nzoia County headquarters offices, and the construction of Tom Mboya Hospital.
EACC, the officials had recovered critical evidence that they say will be used to prosecute the Governor after raiding the governor's residence on Monday, May 19.
"The Commission is probing allegations of money laundering and accumulation of unexplained wealth by senior county officials, accused of being part of a broader scheme to conceal the proceeds of crime," the commission stated.
