NAIROBI, Kenya — The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested a Kitui County Chief Officer and five company directors over allegations of conflict of interest, abuse of office and procurement irregularities involving contracts worth Sh17.4 million.
In a statement, EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud said Gladys Mami Kivoto, the Chief Officer in Kitui County’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, is accused of using relatives and proxy companies to secure county contracts unlawfully.
According to the Commission, investigations established that five companies — Shanel Construction Company Ltd, ECO Stone Company Limited, AZ Links Company Ltd, DTK Construction Company Ltd and 4-Walls Company Ltd — received approximately Sh14 million from the county government between the 2018/2019 and 2024/2025 financial years.
EACC alleges that Ms Kivoto had close family links to several directors of the companies.
“The investigations further revealed that Ms Josephine Mwikali Wambua, Director of Shanel Construction Company Ltd; Makoma Wambua, Director of AZ Links Company Ltd; and Emmanuel Wambua, Director of ECO Stone Company Limited are close relatives of Ms Kivoto,” the Commission said.
Investigators also said financial analysis uncovered multiple transactions linking Ms Kivoto to the directors of DTK Construction Company Limited and 4-Walls Company Limited, further strengthening the allegations of conflict of interest.
Following the completion of investigations, the case file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who approved the prosecution of nine suspects.
The suspects are expected to face charges including conflict of interest, abuse of office, money laundering, acquisition of proceeds of crime, and engaging in corrupt procurement practices.
Those arrested include Gladys Mami Kivoto, Josephine Mwikali Wambua, Mary Mueni Mbiti (Director, DTK Construction Company Ltd), Jonathan Kivondo Kieti (Director, DTK Construction Company Ltd), Onesmus Munyao Nzioka (Director, ECO Stone Company Limited) and another suspect identified as Kilonzi.
Meanwhile, EACC said three additional suspects remain at large and has directed them to surrender to its Lower Eastern Regional Office in Machakos or the nearest EACC office.
They are Makoma Wambua (Director, ECO Stone Company Ltd), Emmanuel Wambua, and Stella Nthenya Kioko (Directors at AZ Links Company Ltd).
“The Commission remains committed to safeguarding public resources and ensuring that all persons involved in corruption and economic crimes are held accountable,” EACC said.
The arrests form part of the Commission’s ongoing crackdown on alleged abuse of office and procurement fraud within county governments.
