The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has mounted a full-scale investigation into alleged corruption at the Nyamira County Government, launching simultaneous raids targeting Governor Amos Nyaribo and several senior officials over a Ksh382 million tender linked to irregular payments and possible embezzlement of public funds.
The early Wednesday morning operation was carried out in Nyamira, Kisii, and Nairobi, where detectives combed through offices and private residences of top officials.
Sources revealed that the EACC sought to seize key documents and digital evidence related to the controversial tender awarded for the construction of a Nyamira County Government building.
Investigators are probing how the tender, initially valued at Ksh328 million, ballooned beyond the actual value of work delivered. Preliminary reports suggest the contractor received payments far exceeding completed works, raising suspicion that the project was used as a conduit to siphon county funds.
At the heart of the probe is an allegation that Governor Nyaribo personally authorized payments amounting to Ksh18 million to himself — Ksh5 million categorized as a voluntary payment and Ksh13 million as a house allowance reimbursement.
EACC detectives are said to be scrutinizing payment vouchers, bank transfers, and approval records to determine whether these disbursements were legal or part of a larger pattern of abuse of office.
This is not the first time Nyamira County has been on the EACC’s radar. Over the years, multiple audit reports have exposed widespread misuse of public funds, ghost projects, and dubious tenders.
The 2022 Auditor-General’s report flagged dozens of incomplete projects, noting that millions had been paid out for unexecuted works. These findings painted a troubling picture of a county struggling with poor financial management and possible collusion between contractors and senior officials.
Governor Nyaribo’s administration has also faced persistent questions over its bloated payroll. Previous reports revealed that Nyamira was paying hundreds of ghost workers, inflating the county’s wage bill and draining funds meant for development.
Despite attempts to clean up the payroll system, the problem has persisted, fueling suspicion of a deep-rooted network of corruption.
EACC officials involved in the operation hinted that the Wednesday raids mark the beginning of a broader crackdown on county corruption. Beyond the construction tender, the agency is reviewing procurement files in departments such as housing, public works, roads, finance, and planning, where similar irregularities are suspected.
Sources within the county assembly confirmed that lawmakers have been quietly gathering information on the same tender, with several MCAs reportedly calling for an independent audit of all ongoing projects since 2021.
The contractor at the center of the Ksh382 million deal is accused of inflating invoices and receiving full payments despite the project stalling midway.
Valuation reports show glaring discrepancies between the funds released and the progress on the ground.
EACC investigators are now following the money trail — from the county’s accounts to the contractor’s bank statements — in an effort to trace potential kickbacks or laundered funds.
Residents of Nyamira have expressed growing outrage over the allegations, accusing local leaders of looting public coffers while essential services such as health, infrastructure, and education deteriorate. Civil society groups and youth movements have called for the immediate suspension of implicated officials to allow investigations to proceed without interference.
“The people of Nyamira have suffered enough. We want accountability. Every shilling stolen must be recovered,” said a local activist.
According to officials familiar with the matter, the next phase of the investigation will involve forensic audits to establish the exact amount of money lost and identify all beneficiaries.
The EACC may also move to freeze assets of the suspects and seek court orders to preserve any properties or funds linked to the scandal.
Should the findings confirm criminal culpability, the matter will be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for possible charges of abuse of office, conspiracy to defraud, and embezzlement of public funds.
Governor Nyaribo’s office has not issued a formal statement regarding the raids. However, sources close to the county leadership have described the operation as “politically motivated,” arguing that the governor has been a target of smear campaigns by his rivals.
Nonetheless, anti-graft experts say the coordinated nature of the EACC operation suggests the agency is treating the case as a major corruption scandal, possibly one of the largest involving a county government this year.
For many Nyamira residents, this investigation could mark a turning point in the fight against graft. If successful, it may set a precedent for holding powerful county officials accountable and restoring public faith in devolution.
As the probe continues, all eyes are now on the EACC and the DPP to see whether justice will be served — or whether the case will join the long list of high-profile investigations that fade without consequence.
