DPP approves graft charges against Barchok and Wangamati, orders further probe on Wamatangi, Ali
EACC recently revealed that five sitting governors and 11 former county chiefs are on their radar over allegations of embezzlement of public funds, conflict of interest, money laundering and possession of unexplained wealth
Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok and former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati face arrest after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) authorised charges recommended by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga, however, directed further investigations against Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and his Marsabit counterpart Mohamud Mohammed Ali.
Barchok, together with the director of Chemasus Construction Company Evans Korir, will be prosecuted over alleged conflict of interest, unlawful acquisition of property, and acquisition of proceeds of crime.
“Upon thorough review, I have directed that Hillary Kipng’eno Barchok and Chemasus director Evans Kipkorir be charged with conflict of interest contrary to section 42(3) as read with section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, and unlawful acquisition of public property and acquisition of proceeds of crime,” Ingonga directed.
Wangamati, together with nine others, are also to be charged with conflict of interest and irregular procurement processes through fraudulent companies connected to county officials and associates of the former governor.
“I have directed that Wycliffe Wangamati be charged with conflict of interest contrary to section 42(3) as read with sections 38 and 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act,” he noted.
In addition, several company directors, including Michael Wangamati, Nicholas Wangamati, Edward Barasa Wangamati, among others, including county officials, will face charges relating to the acquisition of proceeds of crime and fraudulent practices in procurement.
However, DPP declined to approve charges against governors Wamatangi and Ali, together with other officials and company directors in the two devolved units, and directed EACC to conduct further investigations into their alleged involvement in corruption.
Ingonga confirmed that the county received a file on the County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning, Malicha Boru Wario, over the involvement of tenders valued at Sh728.8 million awarded to companies linked to him and close associates, and alleged conflict of interest in tenders worth Sh309.6 million, respectively, have been returned to the EACC for further investigations.
“The inquiry into Governor Mohamed Ali raises serious questions of conflict of interest and conspiracy to commit corruption. However, I have directed that the file be resubmitted to the EACC for further investigations to strengthen the evidentiary foundation. I have identified critical evidentiary gaps that need to be covered by way of further investigations. I have therefore directed that the inquiry file be re-submitted to the EACC,” he said.
Similarly, in Kiambu, an inquiry into a Sh230 million tender for an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system awarded to Filtronic International Ltd, and another involving Governor Kimani Wamatangi over an alleged conflict of interest during his tenure as chair of the Senate Roads and Transportation Committee, were also sent back to the EACC.
This comes as EACC recently revealed that five sitting governors and 11 former county chiefs are on their radar over allegations of embezzlement of public funds, conflict of interest, money laundering, and possession of unexplained wealth, among other offences under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.
“The Commission is at an advanced stage of investigating five sitting Governors and eleven former governors. These investigations relate to allegations of embezzlement of public funds, conflict of interest, money laundering, and possession of unexplained wealth, among other offenses,” EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud. stated.
In order to address irregular recruitments, manipulation of payroll and payments of irregular allowances, embezzlement of mortgage and car loan funds at the counties, the anti-graft authority is also actively pursuing cases worth approximately Sh1.6 billion involving 822 county officials.
