The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has opened an inquiry into suspected embezzlement of Garissa County funds.

In a statement on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, the EACC said it conducted a successful investigative operation targeting eight senior officials of Garissa County.

The anti-corruption body also stated that the eight individuals are currently under investigation for the suspected embezzlement of funds in excess of Ksh1 billion.

In their report, EACC believes the officials involved in the suspected embezzlement were directly and indirectly trading with the County Government through companies owned by themselves, close family members and associates.

EACC further stated that the operation was part of an ongoing investigation following a court order obtained to pursue the senior County staff, their proxies and companies associated with them that were used to embezzle public funds from the Garissa County coffers.

“The Tuesday, June 12, 2024, operation yielded valuable evidentiary material that will support the ongoing investigation,” EACC stated.

EACC to recover funds

The anti-corruption body revealed that upon completing the investigations, the outcome will inform appropriate actions which may include prosecution of the suspects and recovery of the stolen public funds.

EACC further urged residents of Garissa County to volunteer information through a confidential toll-free number about the alleged misappropriation of the County funds.

“The residents of Garissa County who may have any information on the misappropriation of public funds at the County are called upon to volunteer such information in confidence to the Commission through the anonymous reporting system in the EACC website,” EACC said.

This comes after the EACC hosted the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations(FBI) Christopher Wray at the Integrity Centre on Tuesday, June 11, 2024.

Wray, who was on a technical and operational working visit to Kenya, was accompanied to EACC by a high-level delegation from the FBI and the American Embassy in Nairobi.

EACC has a long-standing history of cooperation with the FBI which has seen EACC investigators benefit from various specialized trainings on undercover operations, tradecraft and modern techniques in the investigation of complex financial, and economic crimes, corruption cases and recovery of corruptly acquired and unexplained wealth.

“I had a productive meeting with EACC CEO Mbarak and his team at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission about their important work combating corruption and promoting accountability,” said FBI Director Wray. “The FBI will continue to look for ways to strengthen our partnership and support EACC efforts to safeguard the rule of law and ensure public confidence in institutions,” EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak said.

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