EACC detectives have arrested a former County Government of Kilifi official over alleged involvement in an irregular tender and illegal acquisition of public property.
Timothy Malingi, a former Chief Officer in the Department of Health Services was arrested alongside the directors of Skywards Agencies ltd, Cornell Otieno Mark and his wife Jackline Atieno Olewe.
"The three face several charges over the irregular award of tender concerning the construction of a dispensary block and a pit latrine at Vishakani in Kaloleni Ward and illegal acquisition of public property," EACC stated in a statement on Monday, March 2.
The three are said to have colluded to swindle 45 million shillings from the Kilifi County health department through regular IFMIS and Internet banking transactions.
It has emerged that Malingi had approved Sh30 million from the County health budget for the dispensary a claim he had denied earlier saying the process is automated, he didn't initiate the payment.
Malingi's profile in the treasury had made payments of Sh5,390,520 to Zohali Services Limited. His profile had also added an extra Sh3, 840,124, while one enterprise, Daima, was paid Sh7,230,940 and Sh4,100,200.
Another company, Makegra supplies limited, had received Sh7,119,220 and Sh3,243, 958 in double payments. All the transactions amounted to Sh30,924,963.
The remaining Sh15 million reportedly disappeared from the treasury under unclear circumstances.
Malingi had been earlier been probed by the Kilifi County Government in parliament on September 27, 2019, where they raised serious concerns on this illegal transaction.
Senior accountant Jacob Konde had told the legislators during the proceedings that the department had five passwords to transact documents. He stated that the Treasury had two passwords: one for Internet banking and another for the actual payment.
"Everyone has his or her own username and password - we are not allowed to share," Konde added.
Sarah Wangoi, and Lucy Wanjugu are among those who carried out separate transactions at Equity Bank lNgara branch, Jamii Bora Bank Kiongozi branch and Consolidated Bank of Kenya River Road branch. The three are set to be arraigned in court Monday, to face several charges for irregular tendering.
