HOMA BAY, Kenya — The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arraigned six suspects, including four former senior officials of the Homa Bay County Assembly, over the alleged irregular award of a Sh348.9 million tender for the construction of the Homa Bay County Assembly office block.
In a statement, the EACC said the suspects were charged in connection with the unlawful procurement of the project during the 2019/2020 Financial Year. The case was filed before the Kisii Chief Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, January 20.
According to the commission, the six were arrested on Friday, January 16, before being presented in court where they all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Appearing before Chief Magistrate A. M. Obura, the accused were released on a cash bail of Sh5 million each or an alternative bond of Sh30 million with a surety of a similar amount. The court scheduled the matter for mention on Monday, February 2.
“The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, arraigned six suspects before the Kisii Chief Magistrates Court in connection with the alleged irregular award of a multi-million-shilling tender for the construction of the Homa Bay County Assembly office block,” the EACC said.
“Appearing before the Chief Magistrate, Hon. A. M. Obura, all the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them,” the commission added.
Investigations conducted by the EACC and reviewed by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) established that the tender was unlawfully awarded to a company allegedly linked to some of the county officials involved in the procurement process.
The four former public officers face multiple charges, including conflict of interest, abuse of office, and contravention of public procurement laws.
Prosecutors allege that the officials used their positions to influence the award of the lucrative tender for personal gain, contrary to procurement regulations that require transparency, competitiveness, and public participation.
Further, the suspects were charged with fraudulently acquiring public property and abusing their offices by awarding government contracts to entities in which they had interests, instead of safeguarding public resources.
The offences are anchored under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003, and related public procurement statutes.
The case adds to a growing list of high-value county government procurement cases under scrutiny, as anti-graft agencies intensify efforts to address corruption in devolved units, particularly in infrastructure projects funded by public resources.
