The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has raided the homes of three senior officials from Garissa County in connection with an alleged Ksh1.2 billion corruption scandal. A former county officer is also under investigation.
In a statement, EACC confirmed that simultaneous raids were conducted at the suspects’ homes and offices under lawful search warrants. The operation reportedly yielded key documents and materials that will be crucial in building a case against the suspects.
The probe is centered on questionable tenders awarded by the Garissa County government in recent years. Among the projects under scrutiny is the alleged construction of a new terminal wing at Garissa Airstrip, a perimeter wall and pavilion at Garissa Primary School, and medical insurance for county staff. Investigators are also examining contracts for catering services and claims of salaries paid to ghost workers.
EACC suspects procurement laws were flouted in awarding these contracts, raising questions of inflated costs, conflicts of interest, and payments for services that may not have been delivered.
The commission noted that once investigations are complete, findings will determine whether the suspects face charges such as abuse of office, fraudulent acquisition of public funds, and uttering false documents. Possible outcomes also include the forfeiture of unexplained assets and recovery of corruption proceeds.
This latest development comes just weeks after Garissa Governor Nathif Jama appeared before the EACC in Nairobi to record a statement over the scandal.
