EACC Nears Closure on Sh3.67bn Graft Probes in Mandera and Garissa as Isiolo Investigation Kicks Off
Nairobi– The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is on the verge of wrapping up high-stakes investigations into alleged graft totaling Sh3.67 billion in Mandera and Garissa counties, CEO Abdi Mohamud revealed today.
Speaking at the launch of the Commission’s 2024/2025 Annual Report at Integrity Centre, Mohamud disclosed that probes into similar irregularities in Isiolo County have also commenced, signaling a sharpened focus on devolved units in the northern frontier.
“There are two files we are concluding; one from Mandera County and one from Garissa County. We have also started an investigation in Isiolo County,” Mohamud stated, emphasizing the cases involve mismanagement of public funds in infrastructure and procurement. The Mandera probe centers on Sh1.67 billion in unaccounted expenditures linked to county development projects, while Garissa’s file scrutinizes Sh2 billion in suspicious contracts awarded to Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA) affiliates. These revelations come amid EACC’s record year, with Sh22.9 billion in illicit assets traced and Sh3.4 billion recovered nationwide.
Mohamud was quick to dispel notions of regional bias: “It is not that we are specifically targeting these counties.” He attributed the surge to intelligence-led operations, including raids on officials’ premises earlier this year in Garissa over a separate Sh1.2 billion scandal. The CEO’s remarks align with broader reforms, including intensified surveillance on mega-projects and bribery hotspots, as outlined in the new report.
As Kenya grapples with fiscal pressures, Mohamud warned that unchecked graft erodes devolution’s gains. “Preventing losses of Sh16.5 billion this year is just the start,” he said. Stakeholders now eye the outcomes of these closures, which could lead to asset freezes and high-profile indictments, bolstering public trust in governance.
