Former Nandi Governor Cleophas Lagat's Mansions Raided by EACC

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives carried out a raid at former Nandi Governor Cleophas Lagat's home. 

The anti-graft agency detectives, who conducted a thorough swoop in Nandi County on Monday, raided the former County boss' three mansions in Nandi, Kapseret and Elgon View in Eldoret. 

According to reports, the detectives are stated to have seized documents, as they sought for leads into an alleged corruption when Mr Lagat was still in office.

The operation is noted to have commenced at the wee hours of the morning, targeting more than 30 senior officers in the former county government. 

[caption caption="File image of former Nandi Governor Cleophas Lagat"][/caption]

Confirming the raid, EACC spokesperson Yassin Amaro exclaimed: "The raid was conducted and it was regarding matters that are under investigation. During the operation, we seized documents and we are analysing them as we try to establish a case against those arrested."

The investigators are further claimed to have carried away phones, title deeds, bank account details, log books and personal files among other documents.

Nandi County Police Commander Patrick Wambani mentioned that the EACC had made an official request at the central police station to be allocated officers to aid in the sweep. 

"This seemed to be a top secret operation. I only authorised the allocation of some police officers for the mission," Wambani told journalists on Tuesday. 

The former Governor is noted to have been in Nakuru at the time of the raid.

The grand search at the governor's home and county officers saw senior county officials arrested. 

Among those arrested included former finance executive Charles Muge, former finance chief officer Henry Koech and former principal finance officer Emmanuel Wanjala, whose house in Trans-Nzoia was also searched.

Former Head of Revenue Hellen Katam, who was retained by Governor Stephen Sang as acting finance officer, was arrested in her office and her home broken into.

Former Kapsabet Town administrator Josphat Meli was apprehended in Kapsabet.

It is noted that in the past three years, civil society groups have presented more than 100 petitions to the county assembly, Senate, and EACC, requesting them to check alleged runaway corruption in the county.

During the arrest in an apartment in Langas, Eldoret, EACC officials seized tender and other government business documents, which implicated more than 100 companies and senior county officers in corruption.

Responding to the recent raid and arrests, Nandi Governor Stephen Sang ordered all his staff to submit to investigations and lauded EACC for the operation.
 
"I support EACC on its mandate to net all individuals who are suspected to have siphoned county funds," asserted the County boss.

[caption caption="File image of Nandi Governor Stephen Sang"][/caption]

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