Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over four years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

- The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has released a statement regarding the dramatic raid and the arrest of Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya.

In a statement on Monday, May 19, the anti-graft agency disclosed that the raid was linked to the ongoing investigations regarding irregular payment of KSh 1.4 billion by the Trans Nzoia county government.

"EACC, upon obtaining search warrants, conducted searches at the residences and offices of Governor George Natembeya and four others in relation to alleged irregular procurement and fictitious payments of KSh 1.4 billion by the county government of Trans Nzoia during the Financial Years 2022/2023 and 2024/2025," EACC said.

Natembeya is being investigated for allegedly influencing the award of tenders and receiving kickbacks from contractors.

"The search operations are part of a wider investigation into allegations of procurement, irregularities, abuse of office, bribery and fraudulent acquisition of public funds. The governor is alleged to have influenced the award of tenders and received kickbacks from contractors through proxies," the anti-graft agency said.

According to EACC, the persons of interest include Emanuel Masungo, Dorothy Nyukuri, Eliyah Liambula, and Desmond Shivachi.

The anti-graft agency is also probing allegations of money laundering and accumulation of unexplained wealth.

"In addition, the commission is probing allegations of money laundering and accumulation of unexplained wealth by senior county officials, suspected to be part of a scheme to conceal the proceeds of crime," it added.

EACC indicated that the search operation resulted in the recovery of critical evidential material to support ongoing investigations.

The anti-graft agency further condemned the vandalism of its vehicles by rowdy youths during the raid at Natembeya's residence.

According to EACC, it is an offence to obstruct its officers from performing their duties.

"Unfortunately, during today's operations at the governor's residence in Kitale, the commission vehicles were vandalised by rowdy youths, The commission strongly condemns the violence directed at its officers while lawfully executing their mandate," the commission said.

Meanwhile, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi condemned the recent raids on Natembeya’s home, describing the use of security officers without proper evidence as backwards, draconian, and humiliating to families, including children.

He urged authorities to conduct thorough intelligence gathering before conducting such operations, warning that arbitrary raids could provoke hostile reactions from the public.

Amisi called for an immediate halt to the raids and demanded a clear explanation be provided to the people of Trans Nzoia.

Source: TUKO.co.ke