The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has obtained court orders to freeze the bank account of a civil servant whose suspicious transactions caught the agency's attention.
In court documents seen by Kenyans.co.ke, a junior officer attached to the Ministry of Environment transacted more than Ksh70 million in his account despite earning a monthly salary of Ksh32,000.
The Commission noted that the officer, who had been working in the capacity since January 2018, could not have such colossal amount, raising questions over his source of wealth.
"An order be and hereby issued prohibiting the respondent his agents, servants or any other persons from withdrawing, transferring, disposing or in any other way dealing with the funds in the bank account described hereunder to enable the EACC to complete its investigations before instituting recovery proceedings," Justice Daniel Ogembo of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division stated.
Referring to his past earnings, EACC revealed that the civil servant earned an initial salary of Ksh27,000 as an employee at a charity organisation based in the United Kingdom.
This raised concerns with a recent transaction of Ksh22.5 million, which prompted the anti-graft body to probe the dealings.
EACC is investigating possible abuse of office and misuse of public funds. Justice Ogembo ordered that the probe be completed within six months to give a comprehensive report on the matter.
"(I direct) that the matter is fixed for mention before the Presiding Judge, ACEC Division for further directions," he ordered.
EACC also affirmed in court that it was investigating the bank accounts at the Ministry of Environment for possible collusion with other employees.
"Preliminary investigations showed he had received imprests worth millions over the years that were designated as "purchase of snacks".
