Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) apprehended eight former officials of the Tana River County government on Thursday evening in connection with the improper awarding of a Ksh.9 million tender.
The individuals taken into custody include Fatuma Zahra, the former County Chief Officer for Public Service; Abashora Swaleh Salad, the former Principal Supply Chain Management Officer; Ali Dhidha Hussein, a Building Inspector in the Department of Public Works; and Issa Funani Bere, a former Senior Supply Chain Management Officer.
Additionally, the group comprises Supply Chain Management Officers Mohamed Natse and Kevin Simiyu Wafula, Fatuma Napasha Hussein-Electro, a Casual Inspector in the Department of Public Works, and a director from Al-Karim Agencies, a company contracted to install fencing around the wildlife offices and staff quarters in Hola town.
Six of the suspects were apprehended in Malindi and held overnight at the Malindi Police Station before being transported under heavy security to Hola. The other two suspects were arrested in Lamu County.
These individuals are part of a larger group of 14 implicated in the case and are set to appear before the Hola Chief Magistrate Court on Friday.
EACC spokesperson Eric Ngumbi confirmed the arrests, stating that the Commission’s Upper Coast regional office conducted an operation in Tana River and Lamu Counties after discovering irregularities associated with the tender awarded to Al-Karim General Construction Company.
Ngumbi further noted that the investigation revealed multiple irregularities, including the lack of a budget, absence of a procurement plan, forged documents, and an evaluation process that failed to adhere to the required procurement standards.
He also mentioned that the Commission is actively seeking the remaining six suspects, which include one Senior Supply Chain Management Officer and five directors of Al-Karim General Construction Company.
