Governor Otuoma appears before EACC over ongoing county probe

Busia Governor Paul Otuoma on Tuesday morning appeared before the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) following  summons over ongoing investigations at the Busia County Government.

Governor Otuoma presented himself at the EACC Western Regional Offices in Bungoma at around 9:30am, where he is currently recording a statement with investigators.

Speaking shortly after his arrival, Otuoma said he was ready to cooperate with the probe.

“I have come to respond to the summons and to fully cooperate with the investigators so that the matter can be clarified,” he said.

EACC questions  to Busia governor

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Tuesday said Governor Otuoma recorded a statement as part of ongoing investigations in which he is a person of interest to facilitate investigations arising from reports received from members of the public and the Senate.

EACC said the reports raise concerns over alleged corruption and possible loss of public funds within the Busia County government. The commission emphasised that the investigations are ongoing and that no conclusions have been reached.

According to EACC, investigators questioned the governor over allegations relating to the irregular award of tenders and payments amounting to more than Sh1.4 billion to 26 companies alleged by the commission to be proxy entities linked to family members and associates of senior county officials. The payments were reportedly made during the 2022/23 to 2024/25 financial years.

The commission further alleged that Sh90,031,678.45 was paid to four private entities—which it alleges may have links to the governor.  EACC said these claims form part of the matters under investigation.

As part of the wider probe, the commission said it previously conducted search operations targeting several Busia County officials, including three County Executive Committee members, a chief officer, and two directors from the finance, lands, youth and sports, budget, and supply chain management departments.

The governor was also questioned over alleged irregularities surrounding the construction of the Busia Trailer Park Yard during the 2023/24 financial year. 

According to the commission, the land was leased to a private contractor for a 25-year term at an annual rent of Sh1.4 million, subject to periodic escalation, with revenue from the facility to be shared between the county government and the contractor.

EACC noted that the project was initiated to address traffic congestion caused by trailers near the Kenya–Uganda border but said it is examining whether procurement and land-use procedures were properly followed.

The commission said it has prioritised the Busia County investigations due to strong public interest.

It added that upon conclusion of the inquiries, it will take appropriate action, which may include recommendations for prosecution and recovery of any unlawfully acquired assets, where warranted.