Two Arrested in KES 296 Million West Pokot Bursary Embezzlement Scandal, Two Suspects at Large
The funds, meant to support needy students, were allegedly misappropriated between the 2017/2018 and 2021/2022 financial years.
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The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has today apprehended two key suspects in connection with the embezzlement of KES 296 million in bursary funds from the County Government of West Pokot. The funds, meant to support needy students, were allegedly misappropriated between the 2017/2018 and 2021/2022 financial years.
The arrested suspects, Ms. Mary Ngoriakes, the former Chief Officer for Education, and Mr. Mathew Arusio, the former County Director of Bursary, were taken into custody by EACC officers at the Commission’s North Rift Regional Offices in Eldoret. They are set to be arraigned before the Eldoret Anti-Corruption Court on Tuesday, 24th September 2024, at 9:00 a.m.
According to an official statement released by EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi, the arrests follow comprehensive investigations launched after a complaint was filed against senior officials in West Pokot. The officials are alleged to have orchestrated a fraudulent scheme, siphoning off KES 296 million from the County Bursary, Education, and Infrastructure Fund.
“The Commission’s investigations revealed that the amount embezzled was not KES 212 million, as initially reported, but KES 296 million, all of which had been allocated for bursaries to assist disadvantaged students in the county,” read part of the EACC statement.
Further investigation uncovered that the County Bursary, Education Development, and Infrastructure Committee (CBC) was never properly constituted. Despite this, certain officials falsely assumed CBC roles and engaged in irregular cash withdrawals, even fabricating minutes for meetings that never took place.
Upon completing its investigation, the EACC submitted its findings to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who approved charges against four suspects. The charges include conspiracy to commit corruption, abuse of office, fraudulent acquisition of public property, false accounting, and making false documents.
Ms. Ngoriakes and Mr. Arusio are currently being held at Eldoret Central Police Station as they await their court appearance. Meanwhile, two other suspects, Mr. Simon Kodomuk, the former Chief Officer for Education, and Mr. Francil Tikol, the former Assistant County Director of Bursary, remain at large.
“The Commission hereby directs the two suspects still at large to report to EACC North Rift Regional Offices in Eldoret by 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 24th September 2024, without fail,” Ngumbi added.
The scandal has raised concerns over the management of public resources in the county, especially given that the funds were intended to assist vulnerable students in need of financial support for their education.
As the case proceeds, there is widespread public outcry, with many calling for accountability from those in power. “This is a betrayal of the trust the people of West Pokot placed in their leaders,” said a local resident, expressing frustration over the mismanagement of critical funds.
The suspects, if found guilty, could face hefty penalties, including imprisonment and the forfeiture of assets gained through corrupt means. The case underscores the EACC’s ongoing efforts to tackle corruption and restore integrity in public offices across Kenya.
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