NAIROBI, Kenya – Eight senior Nakuru County officials have been summoned by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over alleged irregular payments of Sh22 million to private law firms.
In a letter dated September 2, 2025, EACC South Rift Regional Coordinator Kipsang Sambai directed County Secretary Dr. Samuel Mwaura to ensure the officials appear at the commission’s offices in Nakuru for interviews and statement recording.
“The commission is investigating allegations regarding the use of public funds for legal services by county officials. Please inform them to appear for the interview and statement recording on the dates and times as specified,” the letter reads.
Officials on the spot
Those summoned include:
- Finance Chief Officer Evelyne Kakai
- Public Service Chief Officer Charles Koech
- Gender and Youth Chief Officer Gladys Kamuren
- Governor’s Office Chief Officer Martin Agai
- Former Finance CO Joseph Malinda
- County Attorney Caleb Nyamwange
- Supply Chain Management Director Annemarie Kuria
- Head of Budget Ashina Wanga
According to the EACC schedule, Nyamwange and Koech are expected to appear first, followed by Kamuren, Malinda, and Kuria on Tuesday. Wanga, Agai, and Kakai will face questioning on Wednesday.
Audit red flags
The probe stems from a directive by the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) after Governor Susan Kihika appeared before it to respond to audit queries.
The 2024/25 Auditor General’s report revealed that payments to private law firms were processed without contracts, supporting documentation, or involvement of the county attorney’s office.
The report also flagged several other financial irregularities:
- Nakuru County operated 28 bank accounts, with discrepancies of Sh339.5 million between cashbook balances and actual funds.
- The county spent Sh22.4 million on foreign travel and Sh5.8 million on domestic trips despite national austerity directives.
- Sh93.3 million was used for training without documentation.
- Sh159 million was paid to employees outside the official payroll.
- Sh2 billion in pending bills remain unresolved.
- Vehicle spending included Sh6.8 million on tyres and Sh21 million on routine maintenance, both flagged as unjustified.
PAC chair and Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang described the findings as “shocking,” noting that key county officials failed to provide satisfactory explanations.
Governor Kihika argued that the county attorney was best placed to address questions on the payments, a position that prompted PAC to refer the matter to EACC for investigation.
