- The official if facing allegations of embezzlement of over seven million, which implicating 30 MCAs and other senior county officials.
- It is said they used the money for a trip to Zanzibar where some of those who paid did not travel while others were overpaid.
Image: FILE
Taita Taveta county top official has been arrested by EACC detectives.
EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi said the officer will be processed at EACC Mombasa Regional Office and later detained at Mombasa Central Police Station.
The top official is facing allegations of embezzlement of over seven million, which is implicating 30 MCAs and other senior county officials.
It is said they used the money for a trip to Zanzibar where some of those paid did not travel while others were overpaid.
The arrest comes after the anti-graft body published its 4th Quarterly Report on Friday, where two out of the 24 files recommending prosecution of suspects relate to Taita Taveta.
EACC began investigations into the case of the aforementioned officer after receiving a complaint alleging corruption and misappropriation of public funds at the county assembly.
This was as a result of funds advanced to the officials for travelling to Zanzibar for a bonding trip in the financial year 2022-23.
EACC found that a total of Sh17 million was used for the alleged trip, out of which nine million was directly paid to the organisers for conference and travel arrangements.
The remaining eight million is said to have been paid as an imprest advance to 30 officers who were to attend the training in Zanzibar.
It was also established that the arrested top official used forged travel clearance letters purportedly issued by the Principal Secretary Ministry of Devolution as authority to travel to Zanzibar.
Further, EACC found out that out of the 30 officers who were paid imprest for the trip, 25 officials travelled and spent five nights in Zanzibar and one night locally as opposed to six nights in Zanzibar resulting in a loss of Sh1,033,288.
It is also stated that four officials did not travel, and the remaining officer travelled for three nights in Zanzibar.
This resulted in a loss of 1,182,263.
EACC said the officers delegated for the training were paid full daily subsistence allowance while in Zanzibar for five nights.
This is despite the accommodation payment of US$132 per night made by the touring company they had used.
This resulted in a loss of public funds to the tune of Sh3,965,889.
Upon conclusion of the probe, EACC compiled and forwarded the file with findings and recommendations to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) who concurred with the proposed charges.
The charges against two top county officials include abuse of office, willful failure to comply with the law applicable, regulations and guidelines relating to procurement and uttering false documents.
Further, they face charges of false accounting by a public officer and financial misconduct.
EACC has directed the remaining suspect to forthwith present himself at EACC Mombasa Regional Office for processing.