Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives arrested the Pyrethrum Board of Kenya boss Paul Lolwerikoi over economic and procurement crimes, Daily Nation reported on Friday, September 27.
“The Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya (PPCK), acting managing director, is in police custody. He was arrested over economic crimes and other procurement irregularities,” EACC Spokesperson Yasin Amaro confirmed.
Amaro affirmed that the arrest was in line with restoring the pyrethrum industry that had been inhibited by corruption.
An audit of the board for the year 2017/2018 indicated that Ksh20 million had been paid to casual workers for work not done.
The MD was also implicated in a tender issuance to a private agent who collected rent from houses owned by the company.
The Pyrethrum Board of Kenya Superannuation Scheme had suggested that the government investigate the MD.
The MD was also at the centre of an illegal sale of trees that belong to the PPCK farm in Oljoroorok, Nyandarua County.
The government, on its part, had failed to appoint a board of managers, leaving the MD in charge of everything.
This, according to the Pyrethrum Growers Association (PGA), gave him more power and opportunity to drive the company into controversies that translated into corruption scandals.
“This company alone has gone under because one man has powers to decide on behalf of the farmers and this has delayed the revival process,” narrated PGA National Chairman Justus Monda.
Citizen Digital reported on March 2018, that the EACC had raided the home of MD Lolwerikoi and collected documents that pointed to allegedly corrupt deals.
