Panic gripped some of Nyamira County officials after Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) staged a search operation in offices and residences of Governor Amos Nyaribo and several senior officials in a Sh382 million graft probe.
The raid caught many off guard as the anti graft officers struck early on Wednesday in relation to allegations of corruption and economic crimes.
This followed the execution of search warrants, officials said.
The searches targeted the residences and offices of several county officials identified as persons of interest in the matter.
The raids were conducted in Nairobi and rural homes and offices of the persons.
They included Nyaribo, Lameck Machuki Nyariki, (Director, Housing and Physical Planning), Peris Mose (Director, Roads (formerly Head of Procurement), Asberth Maobe (Chief Officer, Finance and Accounting Services) and Josphat Oruru (Chief Officer, Roads, Transport & Public Works).
The investigations relate to the irregular procurement and award of a contract valued at Sh382 million for the construction of the County Government offices, awarded to Spentech Engineering Limited, which is alleged to have received payments in excess of the work completed.
Preliminary valuation reports indicate loss of public funds and lack of value for money, EACC officials said.
The EACC is investigating allegations that Nyaribo irregularly authorized payments to himself totaling Sh18 million, comprising Sh5 million as ex gratia payment and Sh13 million as house allowance reimbursement.
The searches were conducted simultaneously in Nyamira, Kisii, and Nairobi Counties with the objective of recovering documents and digital evidence relevant to the investigations.
There was no immediate comment from the affected persons.
The commission said they will issue a statement after the exercise. The team carted away several documents in the raids.
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