Five former officials of the Homa Bay County Government, a senior officer from the State Department of Public Works and a private company are set to be charged over alleged procurement irregularities involving Ksh348 million.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on Friday approved charge sheets following the completion of investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
According to the ODPP, the charges stem from alleged irregularities in the procurement process for the construction of the Homa Bay County Assembly office block between 2018 and 2019.
“The tender was reportedly awarded to a company linked to employees of the County Government, raising serious concerns of conflict of interest, abuse of office and violations of procurement laws. The alleged loss amounts to Ksh348,927,840,” the ODPP said in a statement.
Those set to be charged include former Homa Bay County Assembly Clerk Odhiambo Daniel Kaudo, former acting County Assembly Clerk Faith Adhiambo Apuko, former County Executive Committee Member for Lands Roseline Anyango Odhiambo, and Mary Pauline Oduor, a principal nurse at Homa Bay Referral Hospital.
Also named in the charge sheet are Patrick Tunoi, a Senior Superintendent Quantity Surveyor at the State Department of Public Works, Hartland Enterprises Limited, and its director, James Minna Oyuka, the company that was awarded the tender.
Authorities said four of the suspects — Faith Apuko, Patrick Tunoi, James Minna Oyuka and Mary Pauline Oduor — have already been arrested.
The remaining suspects have been directed to surrender at Homa Bay Police Station or the nearest EACC office.
The suspects are expected to face multiple charges, including abuse of office, wilful failure to comply with procurement laws, conflict of interest, unlawful acquisition of public property and fraudulent acquisition of public property, contrary to provisions of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.
The case adds to ongoing efforts by anti-graft agencies to curb corruption in county governments and ensure accountability in the use of public funds.
