EACC grills Busia Governor Paul Otuoma over Ksh.1.4B graft allegations

Busia Governor Paul Otuoma on Tuesday appeared before the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to record a statement over alleged entrenched corruption and theft of public funds at the County amounting jointly to Ksh.1.4 billion.

EACC said the governor was grilled by investigators at the Commission’s Western Regional Offices in Bungoma after being summoned as a person of interest in ongoing investigations.

The Commission said the probe stems from numerous complaints by members of the public and the Senate, pointing to alleged revenue diversion and procurement fraud involving proxy companies linked to senior county officials.

According to EACC, investigators are examining the alleged irregular award of tenders and payment of more than Ksh.1.4 billion to 26 proxy companies operated by family members and associates of senior Busia County officials between the 2022/2023 and 2024/2025 financial years.

Of the amount under scrutiny, the Commission says Ksh.90 million was paid to four private entities — Baya Farmcare Limited, Leokiz Investment Limited and Multidose Agro Supplies Limited — which are allegedly linked to Governor Otuoma and his family.

As part of the investigations, the EACC last year conducted search operations targeting several county officials, including Finance CEC Topister Wanyama, Lands CEC Peter Odima, Youth and Sports CEC Paul Olunga, Finance Chief Officer Gypson Ojiambo Wafula, Budget Director Evans Wandera and Supply Chain Management Director Leonard Omacha.

The Commission is also probing alleged irregular procurement and economic crimes linked to the construction of the Busia Trailer Park Yard during the 2023/2024 financial year.

EACC alleges that the county government irregularly leased public land without a tendering process, exposing the public to possible loss.

“It is alleged that the County Government irregularly leased out public land parcel number Bukhayo/Bugengi/13213, approximately 2.4 hectares, for the construction of a Trailer Park Yard in Busia Town without any tendering process,” stated EACC Spokesperson Stephen Karuga.

The land was allegedly leased to M/s Athi Limited for 25 years at an annual rent of Ksh.1.4 million, set to escalate by 10 per cent every five years, with parking revenue to be shared at 30 per cent for the county and 70 per cent for the contractor.

The trailer park project was intended to ease traffic congestion along the highway caused by trailers crossing the Kenya-Uganda border and to provide parking space for more than 200 trailers.

The EACC says investigations into the Busia County Government have been prioritised due to heightened public interest.