EACC report reveals graft in counties and calls for arrests

A report has unearthed corruption in counties, with officials especially in procurement and supplies departments, being recommended for prosecution.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) report highlights the loss of millions of shillings in irregular procurement deals.

Other deals involved officials demanding bribes while others made fake claims.

The report recommends that a governor be prosecuted for employing staff without consulting the county’s public service board.

Kericho lands executive paid Sh28 million to a contactor for the construction of Langas Market, yet work was not done, according to the commission’s report covering the second quarter of 2014.

EACC says the payment was fraudulent because the official had no authority to carry out any valuation for the project, and the money was paid for fictitious work.

Migori County head of procurement flouted rules by single-sourcing a tender for the supply of pipes valued at more than Sh7 million, which was made before the goods arrived.

The direct payment was made without getting the written authority of the tender committee as required by the law, according to the EACC.

Elgeyo-Marakwet County speaker received Sh258,000 as imprest to travel to Altanta, Georgia, in the United States for a conference he had been invited to but failed to leave the country due to visa challenges.

However, even after the trip aborted, he did not return the money.

He only did so after much prodding from the commission.

GRAFT DEVOLUTION
The EACC has recommended that he be charged with failure to comply with the guidelines of the management of public funds.

In Kilifi, the head of supply chain reportedly demanded a Sh400,000 bribe from a contractor to increase the budget allocation for a particular tender.

The report says he sent an agent who received Sh200,000 on his behalf.

The EACC recommended that the official be charged with soliciting and receiving a bribe, an offence under the anti-corruption laws.

An official at the ministry of Lands in Nakuru is reported to have solicited for Sh3,000 bribe to facilitate payment of rates for a complaint.

EACC established that the official received the money and wants him to face justice.

Vihiga County Assembly Clerk Joseph Musambayi hid documents to deny EACC investigators access to them so as to cover up embezzlement of funds and abuse of office.

The report says he colluded with the senior accountant at the county government to commit the offence.

It says the clerk directed procurement officers to remain indoors or abscond duty so as frustrate efforts to unearth the scam.

PAYROLL MANIPULATION

The head of procurement in Isiolo County single-sourced the supply of empty gunny bags without the authority of the tender committee.

In Nyamira County, the head of supply chain procured motor vehicle insurance cover before the start of tendering.

She did not involve the tender committee.

The report says Isiolo Governor Godana Doyo manipulated the payroll through employment of casual workers, without going through the county Public Service Board.