The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Court (EACC) has launched a Sh400 million probe on withdrawals made by Siaya County officials days to the August polls.
The withdrawals happened despite a directive by governor James Orengo putting a stop to procurements, payment of allowances and pending bills.
“This was in total disregard of moratorium stopping procurements, payment of allowances and pending bills by the new Governor,” EACC Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication Eric Ngumbi said.
EACC noted that an official in the Finance Department received six payments of which five were made on August 31 while the sixth was made on September 6, 2022.
The payments included Sh225,000 travel cost, Sh93,000 tuition fees allowance, Sh200,000 accommodation allowance, Sh250,000 tuition fees and Sh120,000 for advertising awareness and publicity campaign.
“Another senior staff member is alleged to have received three payments including Sh200,000 for travel cost, Sh425,000 for daily subsistence allowance and Sh125,000 for bank service commission charge, respectively,” Ngumbi added.
Siaya County executive also paid a total amount of Sh11,254,800 to four individuals Silvester Douglas Ogolla, Kevin Ochieng Masawa, Anthony Odiwuor Omollo who are said to be clerks of various committees in the assembly.
All the payments were made on July 4 with three of the clerks receiving upto five payments ranging between Sh650,000 and Sh716,000.
EACC is also investigating the loss of Sh72 million in the procurement of installation and equipment of an ICU unit at the Siaya Referral Hospital.
The funds were allegedly disbursed when the hospital opened an ICU Department but no equipment was procured.
“It is further alleged that staff who objected to the fraudulent activities were transferred and replaced with new ones who were irregularly employed, without any advertisement,” Ngumbi said.
He said that the new team however went ahead to facilitate the fraudulent scheme.
He also stated that investigations are underway of recovery of the stolen public funds and legal action taken to those responsible.