Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officers yesterday staged a raid at Nyandarua County government offices in Ol Kalou and carted away some files.  

Sources said the officers were interested in documents related to branding of the county where Sh50 million was paid. The branding scandal is associated with a son of a senior county official.

The EACC Central Region head  Charles Rasugu confirmed the raid adding it focused on the governor’s office and the department of finance.

The officer noted that the detectives were acting on a complaint filed at the agency.

He said the probe might be extended to other offices but at the moment, the two offices were the main focus in the investigations.

The county branding and a ghost investors’ conference were the earliest sleaze to be reported in Governor Francis Kimemia’s administration.

No arrests made

“They took some documents from the governor’s secretary and the finance office to help us crack the case that emanated from the tender issued in 2019,” Rasugu said referring to the branding case.

Rasugu said no arrests had been made, “unless they fail to cooperate.” He did not confirm reports that the raid also took place in homes of some county executives.

Rasugu said the probe was also about the county investment forum function which was never held but money was spent.

 The war between Governor Kimemia and Speaker Ndegwa Wahome started in 2019 after the latter claimed that Sh13 million had been paid to private accounts as payment for an investors’ conference that never was.

“This money is in private accounts and unless these people voluntarily return it, the County Government cannot be able to recall that money as there is bank-client confidentiality. If it is not done, this Assembly will step in,” he stated then. 

 He further said that an additional   Sh1.4 million paid to “invetors” during the conference should be returned adding that departments concerned must ensure no single penny is lost.