Detectives attached to the Ethics And Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) on Wednesday arrested seven senior county government officials from Isiolo.
The suspects who include a former chief officer in charge of finance, the former chief officer in charge of public works, housing & urban development, the former head of treasury in the county, and an accountant were all arrested over links to fraudulent procurement.
"Suspects to be arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court on corruption charges relating to Ksh 58,560,000 procurement fraud in the County Government of Isiolo," EACC detectives noted.
"This relates to a tender for the supply and delivery of a fire engine corruptly awarded in the Financial Year (FY) 2018/2019."
According to EACC detectives, the suspects are currently undergoing processing at EACC Isiolo Regional Offices and will later be detained at Isiolo Central Police Station pending arraignment in court tomorrow, January 18.
“The EACC investigations established that the suspects engaged in a flawed procurement process designed to fraudulently award a tender for the supply and delivery of a fire engine," the Anti Corruption Commission officials remarked.
The Anti graft officers further disclosed that the contractor at the centre of the fraudulent Isiolo County tender was also on the spotlight in relation to a similar fraudulent deal struck in Marsabit County Government involving a Ksh62 million.
EACC now wants the officials involved in the fraud be charged on grounds of willful failure to comply with the law relating to procurement.
The Anti Corruption Commission further suggested that the suspects be charged with unlawful acquisition of public property.
Abuse of office contrary to Section 46, as read with 48(1) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Acts No.3 of 2003 was also part of the preferred charges against the accused.
EACC officers also directed the remaining 8 suspects who are yet to be arrested to immediately report to the EACC Isiolo Regional Office or to the nearest EACC Office.
The remaining suspects include the former Chief Finance Officer, former Head of Supply Chain Management, former County Legal Advisor, Supply Chain Management Assistant, former Town Administrator, Isiolo County and Transport Officer.
"The Commission remains firmly focused on its mandate and will continue to enforce the law against all persons engaging in theft of public funds," EACC officers noted.
