The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested three suspects, including a former constituency fund manager, over the alleged misappropriation of Sh4.8 million meant for the purchase and installation of six electricity transformers under the Igembe North National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF).
Those arrested on Wednesday are former Igembe North NG-CDF Fund Manager Pauline Waruguru Mwangi, James Muroki Eusebio and James Ntonjira Ntongai. A fourth suspect, Joshua M’maroo, has not yet been arrested.
EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud confirmed the arrests in a statement issued the same day, following investigations into the alleged misappropriation of public funds allocated during the 2014/2015 financial year.
The four are set to face charges of conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption, unlawful acquisition of public property, abuse of office and misappropriation of Constituency Development Funds. They are expected to appear before the Meru Law Courts to take their plea. The suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.
Investigations began after allegations that senior Igembe North NG-CDF officials had allegedly misappropriated funds meant to electrify six project sites. The Commission established and reported that the Igembe North NG-CDF Committee received Sh4.8 million to procure and install six electricity transformers at Buathine, Ethiopia, Ntobocui, Luciuti MCK, Marere Centre and Muurune, with Sh800,000 allocated for each transformer.
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EACC said the funds were transferred into six separate project bank accounts and withdrawn on the same day. “The Commission established that the funds were transferred into six project bank accounts and withdrawn on the same day by the account signatories,” EACC said in its statement.
The withdrawals were allegedly made by account signatories Muroki, Ntonjira and M’maroo, purportedly with the authority of Waruguru, the then Fund Manager.
The Committee had claimed to have engaged the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) and the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) to carry out the installations. Investigators found otherwise.
“Investigations further revealed that although the Committee purported to have engaged the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) and the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) to undertake the project, both institutions confirmed that they neither received any payment nor any communication regarding the procurement. No transformers were procured or installed at any of the identified project sites,” the Commission said.
Upon completing its investigations, EACC forwarded the inquiry file to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who approved the prosecution of all four suspects. According to EACC, M’maroo remains at large and has been directed to surrender himself.
“EACC hereby directs the remaining suspect, Joshua M’maroo, to present himself at the Commission’s Upper Eastern Regional Office in Isiolo or any nearby EACC office for processing and arraignment,” the Commission said.
EACC reiterated its broader commitment to tackling graft in public institutions. “The Commission remains committed to safeguarding public resources and ensuring that all persons involved in corruption and economic crimes are held accountable,” said EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud.
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