Nairobi County Secretary Leboo Morintat arrested as EACC raids City Hall

Acting Nairobi County Secretary Simon Leboo Ole Morintat was on Wednesday arrested after detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) raided his office as part of investigations into graft scandals at City Hall.

EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak confirmed the arrest, noting that Ole Morintat recorded a statement at the anti-graft body headquarters and was later released.

Mbarak says his officers seized documents and equipment including phones and computers which are believed to contain crucial evidence that could prove falsification of records and siphoning of public resources.

The EACC CEO added that detectives are sifting through what he termed as crucial evidence of major corruption and manipulation of documents including backdating of questionable appointments in the Nairobi County Government, allegedly masterminded by Governor Mike Sonko and his close allies.

He further revealed that Ole Morintat’s two secretaries will also be required to record statements on Thursday.

The move could deal a fresh blow to embattled Governor Sonko who was barred from accessing his office after he was charged with corruption-related charges in December last year.

Sonko, who is out on a cash bail of Ksh.15 million, is charged alongside other county officials over irregular payments amounting to Ksh.357 million.

City Hall insiders intimate that Leboo Ole Morintat is the governor’s closest aide and right hand man who is steering county affairs in Sonko’s absence.