EACC has this morning arrested Agriculture PS Richard Lesiyampe and NCPB finance manager Cornel Kiprotich Ng’elechey.
The two were arrested on allegations of irregular purchase of maize, leading to the loss of Sh6 billion at the NCPB.
“The Principal Secretary irregularly authorised the expenditure and failed to ensure that the purchase of maize was done in accordance with the law,” DPP Noordin Haji said in a statement.
“The Managing Director NCPB wilfully failed to ensure that the procurement of maize was done in accordance with the law.”
He said the investigation revealed that the NCPB officials, Agriculture officers, chiefs and their assistants colluded with the traders to facilitate the fraudulent payments.
“This was done to the detriment of vetted farmers,” Haji said.
At least 15 other senior officials and prominent traders being sought among them former NCPB managing director Newton Terer.
Accounts clerk Caroline Cherono, Eldoret Silo manager Renson Kibet, and Eldoret Silo records manager Eric Talam are also lined up for prosecution.
Also roped in the case is Uasin Gishu county director of Agriculture Joseph Cheboi.