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Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) saaid yesterday that it had started investigations into the loss of public funds amounting to Sh196 million at the Isiolo county government.

The Anti-graft body in a statement said the said loss of Sh196,016,910 was through fraudulent payments of county funds into bank accounts of five Accountants in the Finance and Economic Planning Department of the County Government.

“It is suspected that the five officials were used as conduits for the fraudulent payment of the money for sharing among more officials including those in senior county leadership,” read the press statement by EACC.

EACC says the fraudulent payments were made to personal bank accounts of the five county officials on diverse dates between 2019 and 2022.

It is the Commission’s preliminary investigations that the five officials received the funds in their personal bank accounts.

Payment vouchers

They are Daniel Kanyugo Lenyangume Sh48,697,530, Monica Nkirote Rukwaro Sh30,452,715, Stephen Muthomi M’anampiu Sh46,971,100, Japhet Purity Nkatha Sh20,432,965 and Joseph Gikera Mburu Sh49,462,600.

EACC claims that it has written to the County Government, through the County Secretary, to avail various documents required for the investigation, including the relevant payment vouchers.

“Failure to submit documents required for corruption investigations is an offence under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003.The investigation is expected to inform various actions, including recovery of the lost public funds and criminal prosecution of the persons found culpable,” said the commission.

EACC notes that the Isiolo matter is part of a broader problem of embezzlement of public funds in county governments in established corruption schemes and networks, which involve both senior and junior staff.

“This challenge points to weak oversight by County Assemblies which are established to, among other functions, ensure accountability in the utilization of public funds through effective oversight.

Critical role

 County Assemblies should take cognisance of this critical role and enhance their oversight over the utilization of public resources by the county executive arms,” stated EACC.