By Mandere Onyinkwa
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested 11 suspects over the alleged embezzlement of Sh85 million from the Eldama Ravine National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF).
In a statement issued on Thursday, the anti-graft agency said the suspects include members of the NG-CDF committee and former public officials accused of misappropriation and theft of public funds meant for development projects in Eldama Ravine Constituency.
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According to the Commission, investigations revealed that between the 2018/2019 and 2020/2021 financial years, the constituency allegedly lost approximately Sh85 million, leading to the failure of several proposed development projects.
“The suspects are accused of misappropriation and outright theft of public funds allocated to Eldama Ravine Constituency,” the Commission said.
The EACC said the constituency received a total allocation of Sh369 million from the NG-CDF Board during the three financial years under investigation.
Investigators further established that although Sh11.5 million had been budgeted for Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) activities, a total of Sh85 million was allegedly withdrawn irregularly in cash from the NG-CDF account and disguised as M&E expenditure.
“The investigations further revealed that although Kes 11,506,173 had been budgeted for Monitoring and Evaluation activities over the three financial years, a total of Kes 85,002,440 was irregularly withdrawn in cash,” the statement said.
The Commission noted that upon completion of investigations, the case file was forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, which approved multiple charges against the suspects.
The suspects are expected to face charges including abuse of office, conspiracy to commit an economic crime, fraudulent acquisition of public property, false accounting by a public officer, and neglect of official duty.
EACC said the 11 suspects were escorted to its South Rift Regional Office in Nakuru for processing ahead of their arraignment.
The Commission also called on two remaining suspects who are yet to be arrested to present themselves at any EACC office.
