NAIROBI, Kenya — The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested seven current and former senior officials of the Nakuru County Government, alongside a contractor, over an alleged Sh120 million procurement fraud involving conflict of interest, irregular tender awards and suspected money laundering.
The arrests follow investigations into county procurement contracts awarded between the 2020/2021 and 2024/2025 financial years, with the anti-graft agency alleging that the suspects orchestrated irregular procurement deals valued at more than Sh120 million.
According to the EACC, investigations uncovered an alleged scheme in which a serving county official used companies owned by her husband to secure lucrative county tenders while holding public office.
The commission alleges that the companies were awarded 29 contracts by the Nakuru County Government worth Sh120,042,417.
Investigators further claim the contracts were awarded through companies owned and controlled by the spouse of a serving county employee, creating a direct conflict of interest contrary to public procurement and anti-corruption laws.
According to the EACC, the three companies allegedly used false documents to unlawfully secure the tenders, while part of the payments received from the contracts was transferred into joint bank accounts held by the county official and her husband.
The commission also said investigators traced some of the proceeds from the contracts to several senior county officials, raising further concerns over the management and possible diversion of public funds.
Following the completion of investigations, the EACC forwarded the case file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which approved the prosecution of nine suspects on various corruption-related charges.
The suspects are expected to face charges including conflict of interest, irregular procurement, abuse of office and money laundering.
The commission said seven suspects and a contractor have already been arrested, while two other suspects believed to have gone into hiding have been directed to surrender at the EACC South Rift Regional Office in Nakuru or the nearest EACC office.
All the suspects are expected to be arraigned before the Nakuru Law Courts on Friday, July 31.
The latest arrests come months after the EACC arrested a Nakuru Water and Sewerage Company (NAWASCO) employee over an alleged bribery scheme targeting residents seeking water services.
In that case, a leak detection officer was arrested after allegedly demanding a Sh15,000 bribe to replace a confiscated water meter, with detectives recovering an additional Sh118,000 suspected to be proceeds of corruption.
The EACC said investigations into the procurement scandal remain focused on ensuring accountability for the alleged misuse of public funds and safeguarding integrity in county government procurement.
