The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is investigating payment of Sh275 million by the Nairobi County Government to nine companies for goods and services that were allegedly never delivered.

Four of the companies and two of their directors were also mentioned in a multi-billion-shilling procurement fraud last December by the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC).

In a letter to the EACC and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions dated April 27, the County Assembly Minority Chief Whip Peter Imwatok claimed the firms belong to Nairobi County Assembly Members (MCAs) and county staff members while others were proxy companies.

The payments were allegedly for food and other essential deliveries to mitigate effects of Covid-19 but, according to Imwatok, no food was delivered nor distributed to anyone.

EACC CEO Yassin Amaro said the commission had launched investigations after receiving the letter.

“Work is in progress and we expect results soon,” Amaro told People Daily.

Payment vouchers indicate the firms supplied foodstuff including rice, sugar, maize and wheat flour, bread, mineral water, sanitary towels, blankets, mattresses and basins.

“It is absurd that the taxpayers’ money amounting to over Sh27 million shall be paid to companies belonging to Members of County Assembly or their proxies for services or goods that were never supplied,” reads part of the letter.

According to documents in possession of People Daily, Tsuma Trading Company Limited was paid Sh82.6 million, Flexilease Limited (Sh89 million), Msafiri Feeds Limited (Sh39million) and Throughout General Supplies Limited (Sh17.7 million).