By Lauryne Akoth
The EACC has arrested five officials involved in a Ksh 20.4 million scam, for a ghost road project in Laikipia East.
The five suspects are said to have embezzled funds from the Laikipia East National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) for the fake project, in the financial year 2016/2017. In the deceptive plot, the accused falsely claimed that the funds were allocated for the development of the non-existent “Thome-Tharua road.”
The suspects will be arraigned in the Nyahururu anti-corruption court on Monday 19th February. They are currently detained at Nyahururu police station following their arrest on Friday 17th, 2024.
The suspects include Newton Kabuthia, former Chairman of, the NG-CDF Committee, Ann Wangeci Mwangi, former secretary NG-CDF Committee, John Mutahi Muritu, former treasurer NG-CDF Committee, Richard Maina Kariuki, former District Accountant, Laikipia East and MonicaGikeri, Former District Accountant, Laikipia East.
The 5 individuals will face charges alongside an additional suspect, a former Fund Manager currently incarcerated for a previous corruption offense.
The lot faces a range of charges, including conspiracy to engage in corruption, financial misconduct, and fraudulent acquisition of public assets.
Moreover, they are accused of disbursing public funds for services not provided and deliberately disregarding laws governing the administration of public finances.
According to the Commission’s findings, from October 6, 2015, to March 14, 2017, the six individuals colluded to misappropriate Kes. 20,391,000, falsely claiming the funds were allocated for the construction of the Thome-Tharua Road, a project they were aware did not actually exist.