The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Tuesday apprehended a senior accountant and an employee of the Siaya County Government for allegedly embezzling about Ksh100 million through fraudulent and fictitious allowances.
According to the Commission, preliminary investigations established that the accountant at the Department of Finance and Economic Planning fraudulently processed payments disguised as allowances.
EACC noted that the investigation into the official was part of a wider probe launched after the Commission received a complaint alleging the embezzlement of about Ksh400 million by several county officials.
"Investigations by the Commission revealed that the accountant at the Department of Finance and Economic Planning fraudulently processed payments disguised as allowances for training and other official county engagements that never took place," EACC confirmed.
''The investigations follow a complaint into alleged embezzlement of approximately Ksh400 million by several Siaya County officials.''
Following completion of the inquiry, EACC forwarded the investigation file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who reviewed the evidence and concurred with the Commission’s recommendations to charge the suspect in court.
Currently, the suspect is being detained at Kisumu Port Police Station. He is expected to be arraigned before the Kisumu Anti-Corruption Court on Wednesday, where he will face charges related to the fraudulent payments.
In addition to the criminal proceedings, the Commission has launched civil recovery proceedings aimed at reclaiming the Ksh102,950,307.00, plus accrued interest, which it revealed was unlawfully obtained by the suspect.
EACC further revealed that it is investigating seven other cases involving fraudulent payments of allowances to Siaya County officials, amounting to more than Ksh700 million, allegedly siphoned between 2017 and 2022.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to protecting public resources and upholding accountability in the management of public funds, warning that individuals found culpable of misappropriating taxpayers’ money will face the full force of the law.
In October last year, the Commission faulted accountants, lawyers, and other professionals in the country for enabling cases of public fund theft in the country.
In its investigations, EACC found that there is an increased contribution of engineers, land valuers, surveyors, bankers, IT experts, and procurement professionals to the planning and execution of graft schemes and betrayal of public trust.
