Two Officials Arrested Over Ksh296 Million Theft
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has taken swift action against corruption in West Pokot County, arresting two government officials over the alleged embezzlement of bursary funds amounting to Ksh296 million. The arrest, carried out on Monday, follows extensive investigations into fraudulent activities that occurred between the 2017/2018 and 2021/2022 financial years.
The two officials are part of a group of four suspects accused of masterminding a scheme to siphon off bursary funds meant to support education, development, and infrastructure within the county.
After their arrest, the suspects were processed at the EACC North Rift Regional Offices and are currently being held at the Eldoret Central Police Station. Their court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, September 24, at 9:00 am, where they will face multiple corruption charges at the Eldoret Anti-Corruption Court.
The investigation began following a complaint regarding suspicious activities involving county government officials. Initially, the fraud was estimated at Ksh212 million, but the figure later rose to Ksh296 million after the EACC concluded its investigation. It was discovered that a fictitious County Bursary, Education Development, and Infrastructure Committee (CBC) had been established, allowing the suspects to fraudulently withdraw funds by forging meeting minutes and other documents to cover up their crimes.
The EACC has charged all four suspects with various offenses, including conspiracy to commit corruption, abuse of office, fraudulent acquisition of public property, creating unauthorized contracts, unlawful signing of contracts, and falsifying documents. These acts violated multiple sections of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act 2003.
Alarmingly, the stolen funds were intended to support underprivileged students in West Pokot County. EACC has urged the remaining two suspects, who are still at large, to present themselves at the EACC North Rift Regional Office in Eldoret by Tuesday, September 24. Authorities suspect the duo might be in hiding, but they remain hopeful that justice will be served for the massive theft that has left many students without the necessary financial aid.
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Two Officials Arrested Over Ksh296 Million Theft
