The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has recently arrested 11 suspects linked to the alleged embezzlement of Ksh85 million from the Eldama Ravine National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF).
In a statement issued on May 7, EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud said the suspects include members of the NG-CDF Committee and officials from the sub-county administration.
According to the commission, the suspects are accused of misappropriating public funds allocated to development projects within the constituency.
EACC cracks down on Ksh85 Million NG-CDF Fraud in Eldama Ravine. Photo: Courtesy.
Mohamud stated that investigations were launched after the EACC received complaints alleging that Eldama Ravine NG-CDF lost approximately Ksh85 million between the 2018/2019 and 2020/2021 financial years.
The anti-graft agency further noted that the alleged loss of funds led to the failure to implement several development projects that had been planned for the constituency.
The commission’s investigations also established that Eldama Ravine Constituency received Ksh369 million from the NG-CDF Board during the 2018/2019 to 2020/2021 financial years.
Detectives further found that although only Ksh11.5 million had been allocated for Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) activities, a total of Ksh85 million was allegedly withdrawn from the NG-CDF account under the guise of M&E expenditure.
Following the conclusion of investigations, the anti-graft agency forwarded the file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, which approved charges against 13 suspects linked to the alleged scheme.
Those charged include Fund Account Manager Geoffrey Koech, former Koibatek Sub-County Accountant Solomon Mwaura Kiratu, NG-CDF Committee Chairman Joseph Kibor Aiyabei, and former committee secretary Ann Mwihaki Mwangi.
Others named in the case are clerical officers, accounts clerks, ICT personnel, and National Treasury officials from the Koibatek Sub-County offices, alongside officers attached to other government departments.
Mohamud went on to disclose that 11 of the 13 suspects had been arrested and taken to the EACC South Rift Regional Office in Nakuru for processing ahead of their court appearance.
The EACC boss moreover noted that the suspects are expected to face multiple charges, including abuse of office, conspiracy to commit an economic crime, fraudulent acquisition of public property, false accounting by a public officer, and negligence of official duty.
They are also accused of failing to comply with laws governing the management of public funds.
Mohamud further appealed to the two remaining suspects, Solomon Mwaura Kiratu and Ann Mwihaki Mwangi, to surrender themselves at the nearest EACC office.
