EACC targets eight Governors as graft probe picks pace

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is looking into at least eight more governors on abuse of office and corruption as the renewed fight on corruption continues to gain speed.

They include Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Mohamud Ali (Marsabit), Amason Kingi (Kilifi), Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo Marakwet), Ali Korane (Garissa), Wycliffe Wangamati (Bungoma), Charity Ngilu (Kitui) and Mwangi wa Iria (Murang’a).

It came to their attention that Ms Waiguru may be in more trouble than initially thought as EACC widened its scrutiny in her county to include how the Sh77 million Mwea Makima Water Project was procured.The Waiguru administration is already under investigation for paying officials irregular travel allowances totaling to Sh. 23 million.

In Marsabit, EACC is investigating the procurement of relief food that was reportedly bought last year at inflated prices. Among the top officials who have been questioned so far is Finance Executive Maliche Boru and the head of procurement Wario Jurumo.

Governor Kingi’s administration has also been asked to provide EACC with documents on how its 150-bed capacity Covid-19 Medical Complex was procured.

Bungoma’s Wangamati,  whose administration allegedly bought jerricans at Sh10,000 a piece are on the spot. Investigations so far show that the firms that were awarded the tenders did not go through the procurement process.

Also nearing a close are investigations into whether Elgeyo Marakwet’s Alex Tolgo influenced the county to award a firm associated with him a multi-million-shilling tender for the supply of fuel.

For Ms Ngilu part of the investigations border on the procurement of pesticides at Sh8.3 million, procurement of booklets worth Sh37.4 million, Sh8 million paid to various insurance companies and installation of a Sh3 million outdoor billboard at the Kitui main bus station.

Governors have already taken issue with how EACC is going after them, claiming, they’re being targeted unfairly.

“Cabinet Secretaries are not above the law. There are those who have stolen billions, we don’t want Governors to be the only ones being trageted,” said Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko.