The EACC on Thursday morning confirmed that arrest of Agriculture PS Dr. Richard Lesiyampe following approval by Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji.
NCPB Finance General Manager Cornel Kiprotich Ng'elechey was also apprehended as 15 other senior officials and prominent traders are being sought.
In a statement seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the DPP called for investigations over the irregular purchase of maize by the cereals board.
The Principal Secretary is alleged to have irregularly authorized the expenditure and failed to ensure that the purchase of maize was done in accordance with the law.
Investigations by the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) revealed that NCPB officials, Agricultural Officers, chiefs and assistant chiefs colluded with the traders to facilitate the fraudulent payments to the detriment of vetted farmers.
"Upon investigations, it was established that NCPB spent KShs 11,365,879,918 thereby exceeding the Ksh6 Billion budgeted for. The Strategic Food Reserve Oversight Board (SFROB) had budgeted to purchase 2 Million bags of maize for financial year 2017/18 at Ksh6 Billion. This expenditure was not budgeted for contrary to the law," read the statement in part.
Also listed for prosecution are; Former Managing Director NCPB Newton Terer, General Manager Finance NCPB Cornel Kiprotich Ng'elechey, Accounts clerk Caroline Kipchoge Cherono, NCPB Eldoret Silo manager Renson Kibet Korir, NCPB Eldoret Depot Records Officer Eric Kipketer Talam, County Director of Agriculture Joseph Kipruto Cheboi.
The Managing Director NCPB is accused of willfully failing to ensure that the procurement of maize was done in accordance with the law.
The DPP disclosed that the suspects would face six charges: Willful failure to comply with the law relating to the management of public property, the unauthorised spending of public funds, conspiracy of defrauding, abuse of office, neglect of official duty and fraudulent acquisition of public funds.
"The EACC investigations had so far covered Eldoret Depot where the largest payments were made. Investigations are ongoing to cover the other NCPB depots," the statement read in part.
Five others were taken into custody in the course of the day.
"Further to the arrests of the PS Ministry of Agriculture and the GM Finance NCPB, the Commission has arrested the former Managing Director of NCPB, Newton Terer and four others. The search for the remaining 9 suspects is ongoing," read a statement by EACC.
UPDATES:
7:07 AM: The story was updated with a statement from EACC confirming PS Lesiyampe's arrest.
6: 50 AM: The story was updated with the full statement from DPP Noordin Haji.
10:13 AM: The story was updated with EACC's Statement on arresting five others.
