By Monica Nashon
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested Nyamira County Assembly Clerk Duke Simeon Onyari over alleged procurement irregularities in the construction of the Nyamira County Assembly office block.
The commission alleges that the irregularities resulted in a loss of more than Ksh 30 million in public funds.
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Speaking after the arrest, South Nyanza Regional EACC Manager Alfred Mwachugha said investigations revealed that the Nyamira County Assembly awarded a construction tender to Jetta Builders Limited despite the company not being the lowest bidder, contrary to procurement laws and regulations.
According to Mwachugha, the irregular award of the tender conferred an undue benefit of Ksh 30.817 million on the contractor.
“The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission received reports alleging procurement irregularities in the award of the tender. Investigations established that the County Assembly of Nyamira recommended the award to Jetta Builders Limited, which was not the lowest bidder,” said Mwachugha.
Upon completion of investigations, the case file was forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which approved charges against eight suspects linked to the project.
Those charged include Nyamira County Assembly Clerk Duke Simeon Onyari; Deputy Clerk and Director of Finance Leonard Kevin Nyamasege; Deputy Clerk and Director of Legal Services David Nyarango Ombego; Director of Monitoring and Evaluation Joyce Onyango; Chief Officer for Roads and Public Works Engineer Josphat Matini Oruru; and Infrastructure Officers Erick Onguti Ayuka and Simon Ondari Ogecha.
Mwachugha noted that one suspect was arrested and arraigned in court on March 19, 2026, in Nyamira Chief Magistrate’s Court Anti-Corruption Case No. E001 of 2026.
He added that Onyari had allegedly evaded arrest by obtaining anticipatory court orders from various courts before being apprehended on Tuesday.
“Today we managed to arrest the clerk, who has been on the run. He has been trying to avoid the court process, but the law has finally caught up with him,” Mwachugha said.
The clerk is expected to be arraigned in court on Thursday as the commission continues to pursue five other suspects who remain at large.
The EACC has urged the remaining suspects to surrender to authorities for processing and prosecution.
