Waititu, Obado, Sonko among 9 serving and former Governors with existing court cases - EACC

As the country celebrates 10 years of devolution, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has released a report on the state of corruption in the counties since its inception.

According to EACC, the most prevalent malpractices in the counties include embezzlement of public funds, conflict of interest, procurement fraud, payroll fraud mainly through ghost workers, fraudulent pending bills and blatant disregard of laws relating to prudent management of public affairs.

In their report, the commission has arraigned a total of 9 current and former Governors in graft cases, that are both criminal and civil in nature.

Former Nyandarua Governor Daniel Waithaka is facing procurement fraud charges same as Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki.

Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu is in court over embezzlement of public funds and possession of unexplained wealth, former Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal is facing charges of conflict of interest and embezzlement of funds.

Former Migori Governor Okoth Obado is in court over embezzlement of public funds, former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero is facing charges of embezzlement of public funds and possession of unexplained wealth.

Mike Mbuvi Sonko the former Nairobi Governor too is in court over embezzlement of public funds, same as his former Busia counterpart Sospeter Ojaamong and former Muran'ga Governor Mwangi wa Iria.

According to EACC, non-remittance of statutory deductions is emerging as a form of corruption in almost all counties.

The commission's report indicates that to date, county governments have, cumulatively, not remitted over Ksh.80 billion pension deductions made from employees’ salaries partly due to misappropriation and embezzlement.

In the last ten years, EACC has received and processed 10,543 reports of corruption and unethical conduct relating to county governments.

Out of these cases, the commission is investigating 7,310 that were found to be within their mandate. The reports outside the commission’s mandate were referred to other agencies with the mandate to take action.

Cases that have been received by EACC on misappropriation of funds are 2,994, cases of public procurement irregularities are 1,130, abuse of office are 840 cases and unethical conduct 747 cases.

Cases of bribery are 578, fraudulent acquisition and disposal of public property 315 cases, conflict of interest 220 cases, unexplained wealth are 198, fraud 126 cases, maladministration 126 cases, penal code offences 17 cases, breach of trust 19.

In the last 5 years, EACC says it has successfully recovered stolen public assets from officials in both national and county governments worth Ksh.23.74 billion and averted potential loss of Ksh.36.5 billion of public funds through the disruption of corruption and economic crime networks organized by public officials.

Recovery cases for assets worth over Ksh.40.78 billion are going on in various courts across the country. Out of the targeted for recovery, assets worth Ksh.4 billion are grabbed pieces of government land in Mombasa County.

Although the law has vested county public service boards with the responsibilities of recruitment, establishing offices, and promotions, these roles are in some counties being performed by the county executive without any reference to the county public service boards.

The anti-corruption agency is currently engaging legislators in a bid to be given more powers to investigate and prosecute corrupt suspects.

EACC Chairman Bishop David Oginde said: “Corruption cases especially the big ones drag for 10-15 years, some even 20 years, already these people have enjoyed what they stole those on leadership positions...have served and retired...so we are lobbying so that these cases are heard and determined fast as possible...6 months, at most 1 year...so that if the person is clean, they’re released to serve the nation...if he is dirty let them be removed from where they are to where they belong.”

Bishop Oginde expressed concerns over the time wasted by office of DPP while investigating corruption suspects.