The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has launched investigations into the alleged misuse of public funds following claims that Sh5 million was spent on a lavish housewarming party at the residence of a senior official in Vihiga County.
The probe comes days after the Senate Public Accounts Committee invited the anti-graft agency to look into financial irregularities flagged at the county.
The request followed audit queries raised by the Auditor-General over possible misuse of public resources.
The revelations have sparked public outrage, with residents and civic groups petitioning the Commission to swiftly intervene, investigate the county officials, and recover any misused funds.
In letters dated February 12, 2026, the Commission formally notified both the Acting County Secretary of the Vihiga County Government and the Clerk of the Vihiga County Assembly of the ongoing investigations.
The letters were signed on behalf of the EACC Chief Executive Officer by Abraham Kemboi, the Regional Manager for the Central Nyanza Region.
According to the correspondence, the Commission is investigating the alleged unwarranted spending of public funds during the housewarming ceremony at the official’s residence.
The EACC, through its Integrity Centre headquarters in Nairobi, directed the two offices to urgently surrender original documents, or certified copies where originals are unavailable, to facilitate the probe.
The documents requested from the Acting County Secretary include the request for borrowing from the County Assembly to facilitate the party, approval of the borrowing by the County Government, and confirmation of the transfer of the borrowed amount to the Assembly.
Other documents required include confirmation of reimbursement of the funds to the County Government, and any other relevant records.
A separate letter to the Clerk of the County Assembly asked for a requisition from the user department, approved budgets for the 2023/2024 financial year or any other year in which funds were allocated for the event, and procurement documents such as quotations, bids, evaluation minutes, professional opinions, award letters, and signed contracts.
Payment documents including invoices, payment vouchers, IFMIS records, RTGS slips, and cheques, and any other supporting documents, were also requested.
The county has been asked to provide the documents by February 13, 2026, with two EACC officers assigned to receive them.
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