Pressure Mounts On EACC To Probe Corrupt Kerra Official

Disgruntled contractors mostly drawn from the western region are now petitioning the Ethics and Anti -Corruption Commission (EACC) to speed up investigations into what they term as massive corruption in the tendering process involving a senior Kenya Rural Roads Authority (Kerra) official.

In their prayers to the EACC’s western region boss Abraham Kemboi, the contractors want Kerra Nyanza regional boss Kenneth Ochieng to be investigated over alleged irregularities in tendering process in which they accuse him of open bias in issuance.

There are allegations that Mr. Ochieng has perfected the art of doing some lucrative tenders through proxies involving friends and relatives.

Earlier on the year, an anonymous tip-off to the press claimed that Ochieng who was amongst parastatal heads allied to Azimio, pumped millions into the unsuccessful campaign. It is suspected the millions pumped into the course was proceeds from kickbacks from contractors.

The Nyanza’s boss Ochieng is being accused of unfairness in awarding tenders and is alleged to be notorious for locking out qualified contractors for cowboys contractors who gives the most in kickbacks.

The disgruntled contractors narrated how some politicians were dubiously awarded tenders as protection fee for the officers who are literally in a looting spree.

The disgruntled contractors are now calling upon the new EACC boss to monitor call logs between Ochieng and some political leaders from the region with a view of establishing the truth behind suspicions that he dubiously issued tenders to companies linked to the said political leaders.

Kemboi according to his previous assignments, is said to be thorough with his investigations and his arrival has given a bit of hopes to the contractors who expects him to reign in on corrupt officials.

Kemboi who ails from president Ruto’s backyard is perceived to be on a strategic mission to to investigate claims that government officials looted taxpayers money and directed towards the Azimio La Umoja campaigns during the last general elections.

It is imperative to note that Ochieng was mentioned in some quarters as among government officials countrywide who donated cash to the Azimio La Umoja campaigns in the last general elections.

When he arrived in Kisumu, Kemboi declared senior officers working in government parastatals who mysteriously became overnight millionaires are among those targeted for investigations.

Kemboi said that also being investigated are country executive members, chief officers and county directors among others.

He noted that demand for lifestyle audit is supported by section 55 of the anti-corruption and economic crimes Act which demands that all state and public officers must at all times be able to account for their wealth or lifestyle.

Western

Flames are up in the western part as well where in Bungoma the procurement officer Evans Barasa and his accountant Nelson Sino have reportedly been earmarked for arrest given their role in the irregular operations in the region that has been seen as a looting operation.

Since the rumors of arrests hit the corridors, it’s said they’ve been in a rush to transfer their assets and emptying their bank accounts with the knowledge that they risk having their assets and accounts frozen once they’re charged. The transactions are being monitored according to reports.

Barasa has accused disgruntled contractors who’re accusing of abuse of office and impunity of witch-hunting despite facts on the ground working against him.

Among the complaints is that o22pc meant for constituency roads, 10pc of tenders are supposed to be awarded to youth and people living with disability however, the procurement officer has gone against the procurement rules to have his companies awarded road tenders meant for special groups.

The companies in question are AfricaReage holdings Ltd, Kadenge Contractors, Leta Kenya and Timaka Ltd whose directors are close allies of Barasa, Kerra procurement officer.

Barasa is also accused of demanding hefty kickbacks from bidders so that their companies would be favoured during the tendering process.

Barasa is said to be working hand in hand with the region’s accountant Sino in awarding tenders dubiously. Locals are now requesting for a lifestyle audit on the notorious officials.

Claims of nepotism have also rocked the western region where the director Jared Omondi, his deputy K’Otieno are both Luos. Sino the accountant and his assistant are both Luos as well and so is the ICT director Mr Jasper.

Elsewhere, pressure is mounting on Kenya Rural Roads Development Young Director Wilfred Oginga who has been accused him of mincing millions of shillings at the parastatal. The pressure is calling for the involvement of EACC and Assets Recovery Agency to investigate Wilfred Oginga who has been in secret operation looting public funds and sponsoring politicians for tender deals. His dirty deals were exposed.