A court in Runyenjes, Embu County, has convicted eight individuals of corruption and fined them Ksh 10.3Million.
The eight were each ordered by the court to pay Ksh 1,284,000 million or serve 12 months in prison for the offence.The eight included four former senior officials of the Chuka Municipal Council and four contractors.
The four municipal officers were identified as John Gikingo, a town clerk, Henry Katiso who served as the works officer and Richard Ondiek who served as the treasurer.
The 8 were charged with misappropriation of Ksh 4,734,577 million disbursed by the Kenya Roads Board for maintenance of municipality roads.
The senior officials are said to have colluded with the contractors who were awarded the tenders in total disregard of procurement laws.
The former town clerk who was the accounting officer employed to ensure that letters of appointment were available, tender committees were established, and bid securities were valid, is said to have failed to perform his duties diligently.
The court observed that companies did not bid for contracts and this flawed the procurement process.
"Companies which ought to have been rejected were awarded five contracts, which is illegal. The contracts were not managed and there was no inspection. Certificates of payment were even made by contractors themselves,’’ Ms Kimemia said.
EACC Manager for Central Region Charles Rasungu welcomed the court’s verdict stating that the ruling would serve as a warning to other corrupt officials.
"Such a ruling will discourage people from looting public funds and being involved in other forms of corruption," he said.
