The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating alleged irregular procurement of services at the Homa Bay county assembly in two financial years.
Also being investigated are 11 companies said to have been irregularly awarded tenders by the assembly in the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 financial years.
The companies include Oxygen Transport and Logistics Company, Amejatin Construction Company Limited, Manibelt Limited, Kandiya Enterprises, Nengo Enterprises and Skyvien Enterprises.
The others are Koipa Construction Limited, Kimbisa Agencies, Jelink Limited, Dao Investment Limited and Pherey Company.
Acting assembly clerk Daniel Kaudo has been asked to provide the names of company directors, their phone numbers, physical addresses and postal addresses.
In a letter signed by the EACC deputy director of forensic investigations John Loikoloi to the office of the assembly clerk, the commission asked the company directors to record statements and be interrogated over the matter.
Kaudo confirmed receipt of the letter yesterday but said he is yet to respond.
Seven former and current officials of the assembly are currently under investigation.
Some Sh27.8 million is said to have been misappropriated in the 2014-2016 and 2016-2017 financial years.
The money was purportedly facilitation for travel, conference accommodation and allowances for members of the county assembly and the county staff.
Those being investigated include Bob Kephas(former clerk); suspended accounts officials Maurice Amek, Caroline Sang’ and Edwin Okello; Owino Ooro (former Majority leader), Isaac Nyandege (former Minority leader) and Judy Kamaria (current nominated MCA and former assembly service board member).
Majority leader Walter Muok and acting speaker Evans Marieba welcomed the agency to conduct further investigations into alleged misuse of resources in the legislative house.
“Majority of MCAs give the EACC full support to investigate any misuse of public resources. The current assembly leadership has opened doors for the agency to conduct probe on corruption,” Muok said.
Marieba said, “It’s high time residents of Homa Bay knew those who are behind misuse of their funds.”
Edited by Rosemary Wangui
