NAIROBI, Kenya – The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has launched a corruption probe into Rongo MP Paul Odalo Mark, accusing him of embezzling public funds through conflict of interest and fraudulent activities.
According to a statement released by the EACC on Thursday, January 23, the MP is alleged to have misappropriated KSh 122 million from the Rongo National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) between the 2017/2018 and 2024/2025 financial years.
The funds were reportedly funneled to companies linked to the legislator, including Aztec Infrastructure Kenya Ltd, which he co-directs with Christopher Nelson Abour.
𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗢 𝗠𝗣 𝗛𝗢𝗡. 𝗣𝗔𝗨𝗟 𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗟𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗚𝗘𝗗 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗙𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖 𝗙𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦 𝗔𝗠𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗢 𝗞𝗘𝗦 𝟭𝟮𝟮𝗠
Investigations revealed that the firm was awarded tenders for classroom construction and borehole drilling, with the MP serving as the sole signatory to the company’s bank account.
The investigation also unearthed links to another company, Jebset Holdings Limited, registered under the MP’s personal assistant.
This company allegedly received KSh 19.6 million from the Rongo NG-CDF, with the assistant acting as the sole director and signatory.
The EACC noted that the embezzlement extends beyond the NG-CDF, implicating the MP in the misuse of funds from the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF), Women Enterprise Fund, and other devolved initiatives.
Following an operation, the MP was arrested and taken to the EACC headquarters at Integrity Centre to record a statement.
The commission has urged state officers to refrain from abusing their positions of trust for personal gain, noting that such actions undermine public service delivery.
“The embezzlement is perpetrated largely through conflict of interest, multi-million payments for services not rendered, and payroll fraud involving ghost workers,” the EACC Secretary and CEO Abdi Mohamud said.