The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating senior Samburu County officials among them Governor Moses Lenolkulal over theft of Ksh2 billion from the devolved unit’s coffers over the last four years.
In a statement posted on the comission’s official twitter page, EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak says that the watchdog has begun the process of freezing and recovering assets illegally acquired during the entirety of the looting spree.
EACC detectives on Wednesday morning searched the residences of Lenolkulal, his personal assistant Simon Lelesit, County Speaker Solomon Lempere, chief officers, Committee Executive Members (CECs) and contractors who did business with the county to acquire more evidence that might be crucial in establishing the aforementioned persons culpability in the loss of the funds.
“The investigation revealed gross misappropriation, conflict of interest and embezzlement of public funds in an organised and systematic pattern involving county officials working in diverse departments,” reads the statement.
Investigations by the detectives reveal that contractors were paid Ksh700 million but evidence that they actually did the work is non-existent.
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In one of the most brazen cases of theft of public funds at county level, the investigations also show that most of the money was withdrawn and shared amongst various county officials.
Contractors were irregularly awarded contracts worth over Ksh1 billion for works partly done or never done at all after which they bribed top county officers.
“Investigations also reveal that county officers were also paid millions of shillings by companies that were awarded the contracts,” reads the statement.
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Further, the commission has evidence that real estate was a safe haven for the graftlords who used the sector to launder the stolen money.
