Nairobi: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives have initiated an investigation into an alleged Sh95 million conflict of interest scandal. The case involves three Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) along with several county officials.
According to Kenya News Agency, EACC detectives conducted raids on Monday night at eight homes belonging to the suspects. They also spent a significant portion of the day at the county headquarters collecting evidence related to the alleged tender award scandal. EACC Central Regional Manager Japheth Baithalu revealed that the officials are suspected of using companies they are linked to, or have a beneficial interest in, to secure lucrative county tenders.
The manager, speaking outside the county procurement offices where detectives gathered evidence, stated that the three MCAs are suspected of having connections to 11 companies that were awarded tenders by the County Government. Preliminary investigations indicate that the MCAs and county officials implicated in the scandal received approximately Sh95 million through irregularly awarded contracts.
Detectives confiscated procurement documents, payment records, and contract files related to the companies associated with the MCAs. Baithalu emphasized that these documents are crucial in determining whether due process was followed. The investigation aims to uncover the role played by the MCAs in influencing contract awards and whether they failed to declare their interests as mandated by law.
Baithalu noted that the County Government has been cooperative with the investigation, despite the tension sparked within the offices when detectives moved in to secure key records. The Commission confirmed that investigations are ongoing and assured that appropriate legal action will be taken against any MCA or official found culpable.
