Four senior officials from Taita Taveta County are facing corruption charges after a review of investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) announced on October 23, 2024, that the officials will be arraigned following allegations of graft and misuse of public funds during their time in office.
The officials charged include Thomas Jumwa Nyambu, Economic Advisor to the Governor, Liverson Julius Mghendi, former County Secretary, Christine Mawonfo Mwakera, former Chief Officer of Finance, and Leonard Lagat, former County Chief Officer of Trade, Tourism, and Co-operatives Development.
The charges against them include conspiracy to commit corruption, engaging in projects without prior planning, unlawful acquisition of public property, and uttering false documents. They are also accused of failing to comply with proper procedures in the expenditure of public funds.
The DPP emphasized the seriousness of the charges, stating that the alleged actions by the officials involved clear violations of the law and mismanagement of public resources. These charges come at a time when the Kenyan government is intensifying its efforts to combat corruption and enforce accountability within county governments.
In a statement, the DPP reiterated that the office remains dedicated to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice is served, stressing that the prosecution is committed to executing its constitutional mandate. The public and various civil society organizations have been pushing for more stringent measures to curb corruption, especially in devolved units.
If convicted, the accused face serious legal consequences, marking a significant development in the government’s ongoing efforts to tackle corruption.
