The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has disclosed that it is handling 288 corruption reports from county governments, with billions of shillings suspected to have been misappropriated.
Speaking to the Senate Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud said the cases were submitted by the Senate County Public Accounts Committee since 2022.
Chaired by Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei, the committee heard that some of the complaints have already progressed through legal and administrative channels.
Abdi told senators that six cases have reached court conclusions, seven are awaiting decisions, and 74 have been forwarded to other agencies for follow-up.
“Currently, 125 matters are pending under investigation, 69 matters have been prioritised for investigation in phase two, and seven files have been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP),” he said.
He added that the commission has issued several advisories aimed at curbing irregularities in county management. The guidance addressed issues like falsification of academic qualifications, staff recruitment and management, and delayed payments of county bills.
Abdi explained that the EACC has also warned county administrations against irregular procurement practices and misuse of public funds, particularly those intended for disaster mitigation such as the El Niño rains.
Other advisories focused on misuse of imprests and emphasized proper integrity checks during vetting for County Executive Committee positions.
The commission referred to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) a matter involving Kitui County, where Sh10.4 billion in expenditure from the 2019/2020 financial year could not be accounted for after supporting documents were reportedly destroyed in a fire.
Abdi revealed that the EACC recommended a special audit by the Office of the Auditor General into claims that Turkana County accrued Sh493 million in unpaid bills during the 2017/2018 financial year.
He also reported investigations into Narok County, where Sh541 million was allegedly paid to Lalji Meghji Patel & Company for the construction of Narok County Hospital, despite the work being incomplete and the contract period having expired.
The commission is looking into unaccounted spending of Sh455 million by Isiolo County, which includes grants and payments worth Sh274 million, purchases of goods and services valued at Sh47 million, and asset acquisitions totaling Sh64.7 million.
Abdi said EACC is also probing Kisumu County over an alleged improper payment of Sh137.6 million in legal fees to Ken Pundo & Company Advocates for a High Court case linked to the former Municipal Council.
“The commission is also carrying out an investigation into payments totalling Sh121 million to various suppliers made without any supporting documentation or delivery notes by the Kisumu County Government,” he added.
Further, Nakuru County is under scrutiny for alleged irregular expenditure of Sh187 million on tents, chairs, umbrellas, motorbikes, shaving machines, and water tanks that were later distributed to residents.
Abdi revealed that EACC is investigating a Sh405 million payment to a contractor for the proposed upgrade of Eldoret’s 64 Stadium between 2020 and 2023, despite no work being carried out on site and the project remaining incomplete.
The commission is also probing Homa Bay County for failing to remit Sh110 million in liquor licence fees to the Liquor Licensing Fund Bank Account between the 2015/2016 and 2021/2022 financial years.
Abdi concluded by assuring the Senate that the EACC continues to focus on county-level investigations, emphasizing the protection of public funds and enforcement of accountability in all devolved units.
