EACC clears Kimemia, proposes charges against Isiolo governor

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has cleared former Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Kimemia of allegations that he had allocated himself and his close relatives 31 government vehicles.

In a statement, EACC Chief Executive Officer Halakhe Waqo said the commission had recommended that the file containing the charges be closed due to lack of evidence.

Mr Kimemia, once a powerful figure in both the grand coalition government under President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga and later in President Uhuru Kenyatta's government, was among scores of top government officials, including five Cabinet secretaries, who were forced to step aside in March this year over corruption allegations.

Mr Kimemia has since been replaced by Joseph Kinyua as secretary to the Cabinet.

The commission, however, recommended that Isiolo Governor Godana Doyo be charged in court for irregularly passing the 2014 Supplementary Appropriation Act.

The Act was passed by the Isiolo County Assembly on December 11, last year.

The commission recommended that Isiolo County Assembly Deputy Speaker David Lemantile, Assistant Clerk Boru Adan Jirima and the chairman of the budget committee, Mr Abdi Sora, be charged alongside the governor.

FORWARDED TO DPP

The files have been forwarded to Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko, who will review them independently.

The anti-corruption body also recommended the prosecution of a Bomet County executive committee member in charge of health and sanitation, Dr Stanley Kiplangat Cheruiyot, and 13 county officials for flouting procurement procedures in the leasing of ambulances from the Kenya Red Cross.

Also to be charged in court are Kenya Pipeline Company Chief Engineer Josephat Kipkoech Sirma and the director of Redline Ltd, Mr Ngatia Ndung’u.

The anti-corruption body notes that there is sufficient evidence to prosecute the duo in connection with the irregular payment of Sh30 million to Redline Ltd through its account at Commercial Bank of Africa.

The payment was for the supply, installation and commissioning of three autotransformers procured from Agecelec Industries, a French firm.

The commission also found sufficient evidence to prosecute former Geothermal Development Company managing director Silas Simiyu over the irregular procurement of RIG Move Services during the 2012/2013 financial year.

The commission wants Mr Simiyu to be charged alongside the firm’s company secretary, Ms Praxidis Saisi, and members of the tender award committee, including Mr Abraham Saat, Mr Nicholas Karume Weke, Mr Peter Ayodo Omenda, Mr Godwin Mwawongo, Mr Caleb Mbayi and Mr Bruno Linyuri.