The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested John Koveti Lumula, the head of cleaning services in Kakamega County, on suspicion of amassing an estimated KES 615 million through corrupt activities. Lumula’s arrest comes after EACC officials raided the homes and offices of several public officials, including Lumula’s, as part of a broader crackdown on public corruption.
In a statement issued on Sunday, September 29, 2024, the EACC confirmed that it has intensified its investigation into the unexplained wealth linked to the theft of public funds. The Commission also announced that it has launched an assets forfeiture inquiry into Lumula’s amassed fortune. Lumula was escorted to the EACC Bungoma Regional Offices to provide a formal statement.
EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi stated that the arrest and subsequent search operation form part of a wider investigation into corruption proceeds within the county government. “The Commission initiated this investigation after receiving complaints alleging that Lumula accumulated unexplained wealth worth millions through kickbacks from suppliers and contractors during his time in the Procurement Department before his transfer,” Ngumbi explained.
Investigators suspect that Lumula’s vast wealth includes prestigious properties, such as the West Bridge Elite School in Eregi, valued at KES 200 million, which is operated by his spouse, Roseline Khadambi Khovoshi. In addition to the school, Lumula is said to own hotels, commercial properties, large estates, and luxury vehicles.
Among Lumula’s assets are several high-profile establishments, including Lexas Restaurant, Yolo Launch & Grill, and Caravan Palace Hotel. He also owns two residential buildings in Shijiko, South Ikolomani, adding to the extensive list of properties under scrutiny by the EACC.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that Lumula possesses six high-end motor vehicles and numerous prime parcels of land spread across various regions in Kenya. The Commission has stated that it is continuing to gather evidence to support the forfeiture of these assets, which are believed to have been acquired through proceeds of corruption.
“The EACC is committed to following this case thoroughly and ensuring that public officers involved in corruption are held accountable. We have taken the necessary steps to ensure that all implicated assets are subjected to a forfeiture investigation,” the EACC statement concluded
