The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has been investigating allegations of embezzlement of Public Funds amounting to KSh400 Million by the Siaya County Government Officials, on the pretext that they were claims of allowances for training and official public engagements, which were never held.

Money immediately withdrawn

The payments were allegedly made as imprest allowances to junior employees of Siaya County Government for activities which were not done. Upon reflecting in the account, the cash was immediately withdrawn from their respective bank accounts.

This investigation focused on one employee of Siaya County Government. An accountant at Department of Finance and Economic Planning who received KSh. 18,980,830 into his account through applications that were irregular.

Investigations revealed that there was no proper authorization for the payments that were made to an accountant at the Department of Finance and Economic Planning.

Charges recommended to DPP

On 8th August, 2023 a report was compiled and forwarded to the DPP with recommendations to charge the suspects with the following offences:

• One count of conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption contrary to section 47 (a) (3) as read with sections 48 (1) of the Anti- Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003.

• Nine counts of fraudulently making payment from public funds contrary to section 45 (2) (a) as read with section 48 (1) (a) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003.

• One count of fraudulent acquisition of public property contrary to section 45(1) (b) as read with section 48 (1) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, no.3, 2003.

• One count of false accounting by a public officer contrary to section 331 of the Penal Code as read with section 48 (1) (a) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003

• Four counts of forgery contrary section 349 as read together with sections 345 – 348 of the Penal Code.

• One count of uttering a false document contrary to section 353 of the penal code.

On 20th November 2023, the DPP returned the inquiry file with recommendations for further investigations.

Source: Kenya Gazette 8th December 2023