The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Wednesday morning arrested an Assistant County Commissioner over alleged selling of relief food.
According to the anti-graft agency, the Assistant County Commissioner allegedly stole the food that was meant to be distributed to needy families in one of the Coastal counties.
EACC said the perpetrator works in a neighbouring county from the coast region.
The relief food is estimated to be worth Sh550,200.
"The Commission has this morning arrested an Assistant County Commissioner who stole and sold relief food valued at Sh550,200 meant for needy residents in Tana North subcounty within Tana-River County.
"He will be arraigned at the Garissa Anti-Corruption Court tomorrow (Thursday)," EACC said.
The Commission said investigations into the theft began in April 2020.
"Investigations commenced in April 2020 when the Commission received allegations that 300 bags of relief food belonging to Tana North Sub-County within Tana-River County had been stolen," EACC added.
"The Commission established that the Assistant County Commissioner stole and sold 105 bags of rice and 1 bag of beans cumulatively valued at Sh550,200."
It said the resultant file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who concurred with the Commission’s recommendations to apprehend and charge the suspect with the offence of abuse of office contrary to Section 46 as read with Section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003.
The government has been distributing relief food to residents who have been victims of disasters across the country.
The most recent challenges Kenyans have been facing include floods, heavy rains and windstorms.
Distribution of relief food and aid is usually put under the responsibility of the senior National Government Administration officials.
