By Dorothy Musyoka
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arraigned and arrested two former Chief Officers for Isiolo County Giro Liban and Kenneth Turibu Maorwe, for their alleged involvement in the theft of public funds.
According to the commission, the case revolves around a fraudulent tender worth KES 163.4 million awarded for car hire and transport services that were never delivered.
On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, the suspects appeared before Chief Magistrate Lucy Mutai at the Isiolo Anti-Corruption Court.
They faced a total of 12 charges, including eight counts of wilful failure to comply with procurement laws and four counts of abuse of office, all under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003.
“Appearing before Chief Magistrate Lucy Mutai, the two officials pleaded not guilty to eight (8) counts of wilful failure to comply with procurement laws contrary to Section 45(2)(b) as read with Section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act No. 3 of 2003, and four (4) counts of abuse of office contrary to Section 46 as read with Section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act No. 3 of 2003,” stated the EACC.
The charges stem from an EACC investigation that uncovered irregularities in the award of the tender to Dabasiti Contractors and Suppliers Ltd.
The procurement process lacked a proper plan and budget, raising red flags about the legality of the transaction.
“The two procurement processes were commenced without any procurement plan and budget,” added EACC.
Despite reports from the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) and the Pending Bills Verification Task Force Committee (PBVC) that classified the contractor’s debt as an eligible pending bill, the county proceeded to settle the payment fraudulently.
“Investigations also established that the County engaged the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) and the Pending Bills Verification Task Force Committee (PBVC) to validate the bills it owed. In their respective reports, the OAG and PBVC classified the contractor’s debt as an eligible pending bill. Nevertheless, the County Government proceeded to settle the bills,” reiterated the EACC.
However the accused were granted bail, with the court setting terms of a KES 1 million cash bail or bond of an equivalent amount.
The case will be mentioned on December 23, 2024, before the hearing, scheduled for February 26–27, 2025.