The Ethics and Anti-Corruption commission is on a mission of unearthing a 4.8 billion scandal at the Kenya prisons involving nine high-ranking individuals, among them, former and current principal secretaries at the Interior Ministry.
Among the nine are two former and sitting Principal Secretaries, a nominated female Senator and several public officers.
According to EACC boss Twalib Mbarak, they were involved in the unprocedural approval of Ksh4.8 billion contract.
The prisons department flouted procurement rules by committing payments of 80 per cent upfront within 30 days before the supply of the items.
“Money did not leave but the contract had been signed. So it was by sheer luck that the money had not been released because the contract says upon signing, payment should be done within 30 days,” Mbarak mentioned.
EACC interviewed 19 witnesses and is currently compiling an investigation file in readiness to forward it to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) next week for action.
The ethics body wants the nine charged with engaging in a project without prior planning, abuse of office, willful failure to comply with applicable procedures and guidelines, knowingly giving misleading information and uttering false documents.