5 government officials suspected to have embezzled Kshs20. 4 million in a ghost project have been arrested.
The Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission arrested the 5 of Friday in the crime that was committed between 2016/2017.
The 5 individuals purported that the money was aimed for constructing a road in Laikipia county which doesn’t exist.
“EACC has arrested five (5) suspects accused of embezzling Kes. 20,391,000 from the Laikipia East National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) in a ghost road project during the Financial Year 2016/2017. In the fraudulent scheme, the suspects purported that the money was paid towards the construction of “Thome -Tharua road,” which did not exist.
“The suspects were arrested on Friday and detained at Nyahururu Police Station pending arraignment before the Nyahururu Anti-Corruption Court on Monday, 19th February 2024,” EACC said in a statement.
Those arrested include the NG-CDF Committee Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, together with two District Accountants. The have been identified as follows:
1. Newton Kabuthia – Former Chairman, NG-CDF Committee
2. Ann Wangeci Mwangi – Former Secretary, NG-CDF Committee
3. John Mutahi Muritu – Former Treasurer, NG-CDF Committee
4. Richard Maina Kariuki – Former District Accountant, Laikipia East
5. Monica Gikeri – Former District Accountant, Laikipia East
The five will be charged alongside another suspect, former Fund Manager currently in jail serving a custodial sentence for another corruption offence.
The Commission’s investigations established between 6th October 2015 and 14th March 2017, the six suspects conspired to embezzle Kes. 20,391,000 purporting that the funds were paid out for the construction of Thome-Tharua Road, a project they knew did not exist.
