Nyamira County Assembly Clerk Arrested Over Alleged Ksh 30 Million Corruption Scandal

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested Nyamira County Assembly Clerk Duke Simeon Onyari over allegations of corruption and misappropriation of Ksh 30 million.

According to the commission, the arrest is connected to investigations into the construction of the Nyamira County Assembly office block.

“The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested Duke Simeon Onyari, Clerk of the Nyamira County Assembly, over alleged corruption and the loss of Sh30 million in the construction of the Nyamira County Assembly office block,” EACC stated.

EACC stated that procurement laws were violated during the awarding of the construction tender between May and June 2018.

The commission further alleged that the tender was awarded to a company that was not the lowest evaluated bidder, resulting in an undue financial benefit of approximately Ksh30,187,396.

EACC Arrests Duke Onyari 

EACC argued that the tendering process may have been manipulated, leading to financial loss for the county government during project implementation.

Additionally, the commission highlighted that it is tracing the movement of funds to establish how the alleged loss occurred and whether any money can be recovered.

EACC also noted that it is pursuing other individuals believed to have participated in the alleged irregularities.

Onyari is among seven Nyamira County Assembly employees who are already facing trial before the Anti-Corruption Court over alleged manipulation of the county tendering process.

Also Read: Kilifi County Ksh 51M Fraud Case: Court Hands Out Over Ksh 198M in Fines and 75+ Years in Prison

Other officials named in the case include members of the tender committee, among them a procurement director, a legal officer, and a human resources director, who passed away in 2019.

10 Individuals and Companies to Repay Ksh  51.5 Million Obtained in Kilifi County

Elsewhere, EACC won in its fight against corruption after ten individuals and companies were convicted and sentenced over their role in a Ksh 51.5 million fraud and money-laundering scheme involving the County Government of Kilifi.

In a sentencing ruling delivered by Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Usui at the Malindi Anti-Corruption Court, the court held that the offences occasioned substantial economic loss to Kilifi County and denied residents critical development projects and public services.

Also Read: EACC to Partner With FBI to Fight Corruption & Crime Networks

According to the prosecution, county officials irregularly disbursed the funds to six private companies for services that were never rendered and goods that were never supplied.

The magistrate further observed that the proceeds of crime were largely used for personal enrichment and had neither been recovered nor refunded to the public.

While noting that the convicts were first-time offenders, family breadwinners, and had endured a lengthy court process, she underscored the need for deterrent sentences and imposed substantial fines equivalent to the benefits derived from the offences.

However, the court granted all the convicts 14 days to file appeals against both the conviction and sentence.

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EACC office headquarters in Nairobi PHOTO/File