NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya’s anti-corruption watchdog has confirmed that raids on the homes of Trans-Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and four senior county officials are linked to an investigation into the alleged misuse of Sh1.4 billion in public funds.
In a statement released on Monday, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) said the five are being investigated over irregular procurement and fictitious payments during the 2022/23 and 2024/25 financial years.
“The search operation is part of a wider investigation into allegations of procurement irregularities, abuse of office, bribery and fraudulent acquisition of public funds,” the Commission said.
The probe centres around three major county projects: the rehabilitation and modernisation of Kenyatta Stadium, the construction of Trans-Nzoia County Headquarters, and the building of Tom Mboya Hospital.
The EACC alleges that Governor Natembeya played a central role in influencing the award of the contracts and received kickbacks through proxies.
“The Governor is alleged to have influenced the award of tenders and received kickbacks from contractors through proxies,” the statement said.
Homes belonging to key county officials were also searched, including those of Finance Chief Officer Emmanuel Masungo, Water Chief Officer Dorothy Nyukuri, Director of Procurement Eliyah Liambula, and contractor Desmond Shivachi, who is said to be a close associate of the governor.
The Commission has also expanded its investigation to include alleged money laundering and the accumulation of unexplained wealth by senior county staff, suggesting a broader scheme to conceal the proceeds of corruption.
“In addition, the Commission is probing allegations of money laundering and accumulation of unexplained wealth by senior county officials, suspected to be part of the broader scheme to conceal the proceeds of crime,” said EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud.
He said key evidence had already been recovered in the operation.
However, the raids were met with hostility. Several EACC vehicles were vandalised by what officials described as a group of “rowdy youths”.
“The Commission strongly condemns the violence directed at its officers while lawfully executing their mandate,” the CEO said.
“It is an offence punishable by law for any person to obstruct a Commission officer while undertaking investigations.”
“The act of hooliganism is unacceptable and a direct affront to the rule of law. The Commission affirms that it is an independent constitutional body operating strictly within its mandate and will continue to discharge its duties with professionalism and integrity.”
Governor Natembeya and the others named in the statement are yet to publicly respond to the allegations.
Politicians allied to Natembeya have dismissed the accusations, terming them politically motivated.
DAP-Kenya party leader Eugene Wamalwa said the raids are meant to intimidate the Governor, who is a vocal critic of President William Ruto’s administration.
He is part of the opposition leaders led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua seeking to make Ruto a one-term President.
