EACC raids properties of two KeRRA officials over alleged graft

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has raided the residences of two senior Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) officials linked to multi-million shilling corruption scandals.

The officials are under investigation for unexplained wealth accumulation, conflict of interest, receiving kickbacks, and embezzling public funds through procurement fraud in road construction.

KeRRA’s Kirinyaga Regional Director, Eng. Joseph Murage Kimata, is accused of conspiring with Fidelis Mumbi Njogu, a former KeRRA employee, to siphon funds from the authority.

EACC alleges that Mumbi, a director of four companies, received Ksh311,125,109 from KeRRA between FY 2016/17 and FY 2022/23.

Of the amount, Ksh6 million was transferred from Lebca Enterprises Ltd to EA Cables for materials used in constructing Kimata’s Thindigua property.

Another implicated official, Joel Mutambu Kilonzi, a Senior Accountant at KeRRA’s Lamu office is alleged to have facilitated contracts worth Ksh216,938,688 to four companies between FY 2020 and 2023.

He allegedly committed the crimes during his time in KeRRA’s Turkana office.

Kilonzi is said to have received Ksh9,133,340 from various individuals and companies involved in the contracts.

The funds were allegedly used to construct Mutomo Highway Cottage Hotel, a business in which he is the sole director.

The EACC has recommended to the Director of Public Prosecutions that Kilonzi be charged with conflict of interest, abuse of office, and embezzling Ksh108,501,993 by trading with KeRRA through proxy companies registered under his wife and relatives.