Some powerful government officials have lost millions of shillings to the state over the years following an intensified fight against corruption.
The latest powerful figure in Kenya to lose his millions to the state is the Mathira Member of Parliament and Kenya Kwanza presidential running mate, Rigathi Gachagua.
In a ruling delivered by Justice Esther Maina of the High Court's Anti-Corruption division Thursday, July 28, Gachagua was ordered to forfeit Ksh202 million that had been frozen, funds believed to be proceeds of corruption.
The court further ruled that the firebrand politician acquired the money from government agencies without supplying any goods or services.
Gachagua, however, joins a list of other powerful public figures who have been ordered to surrender their millions to the state.
Stanley Mombo Amuti
In May 2019, the Court of Appeal ordered former National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation Finance Manager, Stanley Mombo Amuti, to forfeit Ksh41.2 million. According to the court, Amuti failed to account how he obtained the money.
"The Appellate Court found that there is no violation of the right to property if an individual is requested to explain the source of his assets that is disproportionate to his legitimate source of income," stated EACC.
The ruling by the Court of Appeal followed a protracted court battle which started in the year 2008.
Lillian Omollo
Another powerful figure who lost their money to the government was former Youth Principal Secretary, Lillian Omollo. She was ordered to surrender Ksh14.6 million, amount which was stashed in her two different bank accounts.
Omollo had been arrested alongside several officials of the National Youth Service (NYS), as well as members of the Ngirita family, following the NYS II scandal that saw the country lose over Ksh9 billion through dubious procurement deals.
The High Court in October of the same year ordered the freezing of 10 accounts with Ksh33.1 million belonging to Omollo and her children, but only Ksh14.6 was recovered.
She later won a case against the state after she petitioned the government for unfair dismissal. The court awarded her Ksh1. In February this year, Omollo declared her interest to vie for the Embu Senatorial seat in the August 9 polls.
Makuyu County Council Clerk
Former Makuyu County Council Clerk and Town Treasurer in the defunct county council was also ordered to forfeit Ksh1.5 million when he could not defend the source of his funds.
According to the EACC, the clerk worked in cahoots with a former police station commander, a former Assistant Chief and other public officials to embezzle Ksh28,655,709 belonging to the county council and diverted the money for personal use.
Some of the money was used to buy vehicles for a third party. The court ordered that all the defendants pay back the amount.
