Senators Call EACC to Investigate Kericho Governor Mutai Over Missing Ksh 700M

Council of Governors chair Anne Waiguru and committee chairpersons in Mombasa on September 17, 2022.
Council of Governors chair Anne Waiguru and committee chairpersons in Mombasa on September 17, 2022.
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Council of Governors

Kericho Governor Eric Mutai is under investigation for allegedly covering up millions misappropriated in the county by the former administration led by Governor Paul Chepkwony.

The governor has been accused of failing to submit documents to help with the investigations after the senators asked for them.

The legislators now want the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate how the Kericho County executive expended more than Ksh700 million of its equitable shareable revenue for the 2020/21 financial year.

“Let the EACC move in and help establish how the funds were used because it appears that we are dealing with a cover-up,” Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang' stated.

Kericho Governor Erick Mutai at his office on August 29, 2022
Kericho Governor Erick Mutai at his office on August 29, 2022
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Erick Mutai

Kajwang' further suggested that the expenditure of the county should be investigated after the governor failed to submit the documents they needed to audit the operations. 

Senate has directed the governor and his team to submit all documents to EACC for the investigations.  

Senator Kajwang directed the EACC to determine the legitimacy of the documents that will be shared with the agency, adding “Let’s not waste time on this.”

Referring to the Auditor General report, the senators also questioned the expenditure of Ksh2.4 million that the county incurred for travel and subsistence for two foreign trips.

"When he appeared before the committee, Governor Mutai only provided documents indicating that only one officer traveled and incurred an expenditure of Ksh500,000 for the trip that occurred between April 4, 2021," read part of the document.

The inconsistencies raised more questions about how much money was spent on the trip or whether or not the trip happened.

Mutai was given seven days to submit the documents to the office of the Auditor General or else the officers concerned should be surcharged the total amount incurred and the interest during the time.

On his part, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah questioned the pattern in which the county could not submit documents in support of the expenditure it incurred.

"When the records are not available it creates an impression that money was lost," he added.

EACC center, Nairobi
A photo of the EACC headquarters, at Integrity House in Nairobi.
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EACC