EACC Raids Trans-Nzoia Officials Over Alleged KES 1.4 Billion Procurement Fraud
The probe, spanning financial years 2022/2023 and 2024/2025, targets suspected abuse of office, bribery, and fraudulent use of public funds.
Trans Nzoia County Governor George Natembeya. Photo/The Star Kenya.
By Robert Assad
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) launched a major operation today, conducting searches at the residences and offices of Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and four senior county officials over allegations of irregular procurement and fictitious payments totaling KES 1.4 billion.
The probe, spanning financial years 2022/2023 and 2024/2025, targets suspected abuse of office, bribery, and fraudulent use of public funds.
The investigation focuses on three major county projects: the rehabilitation of Endebess Stadium (Phase 1A) awarded to Parbat Siyan Construction Limited, the construction of Trans-Nzoia County Headquarters Offices awarded to C.M. Construction Company Limited, and the construction of Tom Mboya Hospital awarded to Session Blue Contractors Limited.
The EACC alleges that Governor Natembeya influenced the awarding of these tenders and received kickbacks through proxies, including Desmond Shivachi, a contractor linked to the governor.
Other officials under scrutiny include Emanuel Masungo (Chief Officer, Finance), Dorothy Nyukuri (Chief Officer, Water), and Eliyah Liambula (Director, Procurement).
The EACC is also probing money laundering and unexplained wealth, suspecting a broader scheme to conceal proceeds of crime. Critical evidence was recovered during the searches to support ongoing investigations.
The operation faced resistance in Kitale, where rowdy youths vandalized EACC vehicles, prompting the Commission to condemn the violence as an unlawful obstruction of its mandate.
“This hooliganism is unacceptable and a direct affront to the rule of law,” the EACC stated, vowing to continue its duties with professionalism and integrity.
Signed by Secretary/CEO Abdi A. Mohamud, the EACC reaffirmed its commitment to combating corruption, urging anyone obstructing the investigation to cease or face legal consequences.
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