Inquiry into allegations that approximately KSh.14.8 Million had been embezzled by Machakos County in the Financial Year 2018/2019 in various activities undertaken through imprest.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) commenced investigations following a complaint that KSh14.8 million was embezzled by the County Government of Machakos (Machakos County) in the financial year 2018/2019 in various activities undertaken through imprest.

Imprest Funds Issued by Machakos County Officials

Investigations established from original imprest vouchers, imprest surrender vouchers, cashbook and bank statements that close to KSh14 million public funds were issued as imprest by Machakos County Officials for various activities in the FY2018/2019. The alleged activities included hiring of tents and seats, IT services and equipment, office expenses, maintenance of the Machakos people’s park, fueling of motor vehicles, allowances and purchase of uniforms.

Investigations established that the Chief Officer for Decentralized Units approved the memos requesting for imprest for the activities.

Funds Misappropriated

In addition investigations revealed that funds were misappropriated as they were not used for the intended purposes, part of the funds were never accounted for and forged receipts purporting to support the imprest surrender were submitted by the said officials.

EACC Recommends Multiple Officials be Charged

On 23rd September, 2022, a report was compiled and forwarded to the DPP with recommendations that:

• Accounts Assistant in the County Executive be charged with two counts of fraudulent acquisition of public property contrary to section 45 (1) (a) and one count of deceiving, Principal contrary to section 41 (2);

• Acting Director Machakos County Peoples Park be charged with one count of fraudulent acquisition of public property contrary to section 45 (1) (a) and one count of deceiving Principal contrary to section 41 (2);

• Assistant Director in-charge Operations and Administration Park be charged with one count of fraudulent acquisition of public property contrary to section 45 (1) (a) and one count of deceiving Principal contrary to section 41 (2);

• Transport Officer be charged with two counts of fraudulent acquisition of public property contrary to section 45 (1) (a) and one count of deceiving Principal contrary to section 41 (2);

• Secretary Special Programs be charged one count of deceiving Principal contrary to section 41 (2);

• Senior Accountant attached to the Decentralized Units be charged with two counts of fraudulent acquisition of public property contrary to section 45 (1) (a) and one count of deceiving Principal contrary to section 41 (2);

• Head of Inspectorate Department be charged with one count of fraudulent acquisition of public property contrary to section 45 (1) (a);

• Two Administrative Officers be charged with one count each of fraudulent acquisition of public property contrary to section 45 (1) (a) and one count of deceiving Principal contrary to section 41 (2) as read with section 48(1) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003.

• The Commission awaits the response from the DPP.

[Source: The Kenya Gazette]