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Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi has accused the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) of being a stumbling block in his  efforts to recover Sh43.24 million looted by his staff from county coffers in 2016.

Appearing before the Senate Committee on County Public Accounts and Investment (CPAIC) to respond to the 2018-19 audit queries, Kingi protested that the commission is erecting unnecessary roadblocks in the county’s attempt to recover millions of shillings wired to suspect companies.

This even as it emerged that the county could not account for Sh99.16 million after Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers carted away crucial documents.

“We filed civil proceedings and even managed to get a judgment, but before we could be issued with a decree, EACC challenge the decision saying that we did not have legal standing to recover the stolen money,” he said.

In her audit report, Auditor General Nancy Gathungu stated that Kilifi lost Sh43.24 million through online transfer from recurrent bank account to fictitious individuals under unclear circumstances, as the devolved unit had not contracted them.

The individuals, some working at the county treasury are alleged to have gained access to the county’s bank accounts after they manipulated the electronic money transfer system – Integrated Financial Management System (IFMIS).

They reportedly stole passwords belonging to 10 officials and used them to access system where they transferred the cash from the county’s account at the Central Bank of Kenya. However, the county’s internal auditor flagged up the fraud.