The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is intensifying its crackdown on corruption within county assemblies, focusing on Baringo County, where top officials are suspected of embezzling public funds.
According to Ignatius Wekesa, the EACC South Rift Regional Manager, several high-ranking officials from the Baringo County Assembly will appear before the commission’s office in Nakuru on Monday for questioning.
The officials summoned include the County Assembly Speaker, Clerk, Deputy Clerk, Director of Finance and Accounting, and Committee Clerks.
The investigation centers on allegations that the officials created extra committees and split existing ones to form six new committees, exceeding the legal limit. This move, the EACC claims, was a deliberate scheme to siphon public funds through inflated sitting allowances.
“This scheme was designed to embezzle public funds, as each committee member is entitled to sitting allowances,” the commission noted in a statement.
Further complicating the matter, the officials allegedly claimed subsistence allowances for events that never took place. The EACC is determined to hold those responsible accountable, with Wekesa stating, “We will ensure that public funds are protected and those found guilty are brought to justice.”
The corruption probe in Baringo County is part of a broader effort by the EACC to address corruption in county governments. In a related investigation, officials from Nakuru County are also under scrutiny for their involvement in a KES 27 million procurement fraud involving the purchase of sports kits and equipment.
The EACC has alleged that companies linked to top county officials were awarded contracts and payments for substandard equipment.
Additionally, the EACC is investigating officials in Bomet County over the alleged embezzlement of KES 373 million in public funds tied to the procurement of road construction equipment.
