EACC asks for files of Nacada bosses under investigation

Dr William Okedi, National Campaign Against Drug Abuse Authority chief executive officer addresses the press during a workshop at Hotel Sirikwa on September 10, 2012. On June 19, 2016, former Nacada Chairman John Mututho suspended several officials including Dr Okedi. PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The officers whose files are required include Dr Okedi, Mr John Muturi, Ms Florina Mwikali, Mr Zeka Wekesa, Mr Anthony Munyui and Mr George Murimi. 
  • Ms Nasieku said the board had so far not discovered any loss of funds but was working with an audit firm to see if any misappropriation occurred at all.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has opened investigations into the alleged misappropriation of Sh99 million at the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada).

In a letter seen by the Sunday Nation, the anti-corruption body wants Nacada to furnish it with the files of its Chief Executive William Okedi and five other senior officials to facilitate “investigations into allegations of misappropriation of public funds”.

“Further to our various correspondences on this matter and your reply ... you are requested to avail the personnel record files for the following officers,” reads the letter signed by Mr John Lolkoloi on behalf of its CEO Halakhe Waqo. The letter was sent on Friday.

The officers whose files are required include Dr Okedi, Mr John Muturi, Ms Florina Mwikali, Mr Zeka Wekesa, Mr Anthony Munyui and Mr George Murimi. 

A highly placed source within EACC said the investigations relate to the illegal funding of 86 unregistered Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) allegedly to champion the campaign against drugs and alcohol abuse.

“We have been on this matter since last year. We are determined to dispense with it once and for all. We are looking into how the NGOs were sourced and whether procedures were followed to ascertain whether public funds were lost and if so, who was culpable,” said the detective.

On June 19, former Nacada Chairman John Mututho suspended Dr Okedi, Mr Muturi who chairs the agency’s tender committee, Mr Munyui, a procurement officer and Mr Wekesa, a member of the tender committee, accusing them of facilitating the illegal funding of the 86 NGOs.

NO FAULT FOUND
Also sent home was another member of the tender committee, Mr Steven Kimani, Mr Samuel Makini, a finance officer, and Mr Henry Taiti, an accountant.

Mr Mututho accused the officials of being behind the withdrawal of up to Sh500 million from one of the anti-drug agency’s bank accounts while disguised as advocacy funds.

The seven were to be suspended for three months and directed to present themselves to EACC and other investigating arms of government.

But days later, the board’s Vice Chairperson Gladys Nasieku rescinded the suspension, saying there was no consultation before the staff members were sent home.

Ms Nasieku termed the suspensions as “null and void” and accused Mr Mututho of refusing to work with the board and disregarding procedures and systems.

“He has resorted to issuing personal statements through the media without board approval and knowledge and attributing the same to the board,” she added.

The board expressed concerns that the wrangles might affect the capability of the anti-drug agency to fight drug and alcohol abuse in the country.

She said the chairman had no powers to unilaterally suspend Dr Okedi and other staff members for the alleged misappropriation of funds.

Ms Nasieku said the board had so far not discovered any loss of funds but was working with an audit firm to see if any misappropriation occurred at all.