Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has frozen bank accounts belonging to Migori Governor Okoth Obado after suspicious transfer of county funds.
EACC made the decision after sleuths discovered the county boss had made numerous massive cash transfers to his kids in Australia, Hong Kong and China.
The anti-corruption body is now considering seeking mutual legal assistance from the 3 countries to recover the cash.
According to The Star, asset recovery agencies have also frozen the bank accounts of Obado's wife, Hellen Adhiambo Odie, several businessmen and three companies associated with the governor.
“The preliminary investigations have raised reasonable suspicion that the embezzled public funds have been used by the governor, his wife and the said close proxies, the respondents herein, to accumulate property and illicit wealth,” documents filed in court by EACC read.
Businessmen whose accounts have been frozen include Ernest Omondi Owino, Beatrice Akinyi Ogutu, Kennedy Odhiambo Akello and Kennedy Onyango Adongo.
Others are Obado’s blood brothers Jared Peter Odoyo Oluoch Kwaga, Joram Opala Otieno and Patroba Ochanda Otieno.
EACC forensic investigator Ann Murigih stated they have discovered an intricate web of bank transactions involving over 100 bank accounts.
The agency has also obtained bank details of over 30 additional bank accounts, motor vehicle ownership documents; local supply orders of more than Ksh200 Million and payment vouchers of more than Ksh45 Million.
EACC mentioned that the suspects were yet to be nailed as the Migori government was non-cooperative.
The county administration initially refused to avail critical documents and thereafter, the county offices mysteriously caught fire.
Over Ksh2.5 Billion has been paid out to the dubious companies over the last 5 years.
