EACC exposes state firms and officials in graft probe

Details have emerged of graft cases involving public officials and private entities on the radar of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.

The commission’s first quarterly report for this year, covering investigations from January to March, reveals a troubling pattern of procurement irregularities, fraudulent acquisitions and abuse of office across government agencies and county administrations.

It also highlights numerous cases of alleged forgery of academic papers, an issue that  has drawn the attention of state authorities who are now promising tough action.

The report further paints the picture of the persistent delays in concluding graft probes and ensuing cases.

While the EACC forwarded 44 files to the Director of Public Prosecutions in the review period, only four have so far seen recommendations accepted, highlighting the slow pace of justice in high-profile corruption cases.

Of the files, eight were returned for further investigation while two were recommended for closure and 28 remain in limbo, awaiting the DPP’s advice.

Among those waiting for the DPP’s response is the recommendation to charge a former Sports Ministry official and a foreign firm.

EACC says its probe established that the ministry officials used the direct procurement method in tender and that the procurement regulator was not informed about the award. 

The report also exposes deep-seated corruption in county governments.

In Baringo, officials allegedly manipulated tender evaluations to award a Sh34.9 million contract for a monitoring system to an undeserving bidder.

Similarly, in Nyandarua, a branding tender worth Sh13.5 million was reportedly fraudulently awarded to a company linked to a family member of one of the county’s top guns.

The EACC has recommended charges against multiple officials, including counts of abuse of office, fraudulent practices and forgery.

Eyes are on DPP Renson Igonga, who, according to the latest report, is yet to act on most files,  adding to past high-profile cases in Kenya's anti-corruption history.

At the national level, the Kenya Wildlife Service is under investigation over a revenue collection system tender.

The education sector is not spared, with multiple cases of forged academic certificates used to secure public sector jobs.

At the Kenya Medical Training College, an employee allegedly used a fake diploma to secure employment as a nurse, earning Sh3.7 million unlawfully.

Another case involves a KMTC cook, who submitted a forged food production certificate to seek promotion.

The EACC has recommended charges, but the DPP has returned some files for further investigation.

The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company is another hotspot for fraudulent employment.

Over a dozen employees are accused of using forged Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education certificates to secure jobs, with some earning millions in salaries over the years.

One employee allegedly fraudulently earned Sh15 million over a decade.

While the EACC has pushed for prosecutions, some files are approved for prosecution, others returned for further scrutiny, triggering concerns about the effectiveness of the anti-corruption framework.

The report also highlights alleged bribery cases, including a police officer at Capitol Hill Station who allegedly demanded Sh4,000 to release an impounded motorcycle.

 In another instance, a court clerk at Makadara Law Courts is accused of taking Sh50,000 to expedite proceedings.

A recurring theme in the report is the misuse of direct procurement methods, bypassing competitive bidding.

The Ministry of Sports irregularly contracted a foreign firm for a Sh9.5 billion stadium project.

In the case, officials face recommended charges, but the outcomes hinge on the DPP’s often-delayed decisions.

One of the most notable cases involves allegations of procurement irregularities in a tender for the maintenance of Nairobi’s Southern Bypass, valued at Sh716 million.

Whereas the EACC found no evidence of wrongdoing, recommending the closure of the file, the DPP’s response remains pending, leaving the matter unresolved.

In contrast, a separate investigation into the embezzlement of Sh13 million meant for land rates in Kilifi county saw the DPP reject prosecution recommendations, opting instead for civil recovery proceedings.