The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has raided the homes and offices of the Nyamira County Governor, Amos Nyaribo, over alleged involvement in a corruption scandal linked to a Ksh382 million irregular tender.
The Wednesday morning operation also targeted several senior county officials suspected of participating in the scheme.
The searches targeted the residences and offices of county officials identified as persons of interest in the matter and were conducted simultaneously in Nyamira, Kisii, and Nairobi counties.
Kenyans.co.ke has learnt that the objective of the searches is to recover key documents and digital evidence that may aid in the ongoing investigations into suspected procurement irregularities and possible embezzlement of public funds.
Investigations
Among the homes raided were those of officials serving in key county departments, including Housing and Physical Planning, Finance and Accounting Services, Roads, and Public Works.
The Ksh328 million tender was intended for the construction of a Nyamira County Government building and was awarded to a construction company accused of receiving payments far exceeding the actual work completed.
Additionally, valuation reports suggest there may have been a loss of public funds and a lack of value for money in the implementation of the project.
At the same time, the governor is alleged to have irregularly authorised payments to himself amounting to Ksh18 million, including Ksh5 million as a voluntary payment and Ksh13 million as a house allowance reimbursement.
Governors on EACC Radar
In August, EACC revealed that nine county governors were under investigation over graft allegations. Chairperson David Oginde said that the commission is pursuing the cases at various stages, describing the scale of graft in devolved units as alarming.
Detectives from the commission in April raided the office and the residence of Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi. Nine other senior county officials also had their premises searched in the raid over suspected embezzlement of public funds and conflict of interest.
A month later, the Trans Nzoia County Governor, George Natembeya, also came under the commission’s radar after a raid targeting his residence and four others led to his apprehension.
According to the EACC, the operation was linked to alleged irregular procurement and fictitious payments amounting to Ksh1.4 billion by the Trans Nzoia County Government during the 2022/2023 and 2024/2025 financial years.
