The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has mounted an investigation into allegations of fraud amounting to Ksh. 510,000 against Bungoma County Assembly Officials and a hotel, Joventure Hotel Limited.

In August 2018 the EACC received a report on allegations that the Bungoma County Assembly Clerk had sanctioned payment to Ksh. 510,000/- to be paid to Joventure Hotel supposedly for a seminar to be attended by 25 members of the County Assembly (MCAs).

Investigations revealed that the Bungoma County Assembly Agriculture via a memo dated 6th December, 2017, asked for a retreat at the Joventure Hotel for three days from 8th-10th December, 2017.

No Meeting But Hotel Paid Full Amount

Further investigations established that the MCAs did not attend the retreat but despite their non-attendance, the hotel charged the full amount of Ksh. 510,000 that was paid by the County Assembly of Bungoma.

In July 2021, a report by the EACC was sent to the DPP with recommendations that the officials of the County Assembly of Bugoma, Joventure Hotel and directors of Joventure Hotel be charged with the following offences:

1 count of conspiracy to commit an economic crime contrary to section 47 A (3) of ACECA;

• 1 count of fraudulent acquisition of public property contrary to section 45(1)(a);
• 1 count of abuse of office contrary to section 46;
• 1 count of fraudulently making payments from public revenue for a service not rendered contrary to section 45 (2) (a)(iii) all as read with section 48 of ACECA;
• And 1 count of forgery contrary to section 349 of the Penal Code.

The DPP’s response is awaited.

Source: The Kenya Gazette, 3rd December, 2021.