By Lauryne Akoth
This morning, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) apprehended Vincent Mbito, the Head of Treasury for Kwale County, along with his four brothers employed in various county departments.
The five will be arraigned in the Mombasa Anti-corruption Court to face graft charges. The Mbito family, who are also the directors/owners of Chilongola Holdings and Rome Investments (k) Limited, are accused of engaging in fraudulent activities with the Kwale County Government through these companies.
The accused persons include:
- Vincent Chirima Mbito – County Head of Treasury
- Mongo Mbito Mongo – County Revenue Officer
- Hassan Shilingi Mbito – Driver, Kwale Water and Sewerage Company Limited
- Mwaiwe Mongo Mbito – Kwale County Procurement Officer
- Chindoro Mongo Mbito – National Government, Ministry of Health (formerly an intern at Kwale County)
The Mbito family has been transported from Mombasa Central Police Station where they were detained, to the Mombasa Anti-Corruption Court to enter their pleas.
According to the EACC, the current charges revolve around ten contracts that were fraudulently awarded to Rome Investments and Chilongola Limited. The payments for these contracts amounted to Kshs. 44,919,341 and Kshs. 4,007,943, respectively with the total sum being distributed among the suspects.
These tenders were acquired in violation of procurement laws, using forged documents. They pertained to the supply and delivery of sanitation materials, food and ration, general office supplies, and institutional appliances.
Their arrest comes barely a day after the EACC arrested the Taita Taveta Deputy Speaker, Anselm Mwadime Chao, for seven counts relating to the embezzlement of public funds
The Taita Taveta Deputy speaker was arraigned before the Mombasa Anti-Corruption Court where he pleaded not guilty to the seven counts. Chief Magistrate Hon. Alex Ithuku approved a bail bond of Kshs. 1 million for the accused, requiring a surety of an equivalent amount or a cash bail of Kes. 500,000
The pre-trial hearing and directions for the case were scheduled for March 11, 2024.