By:Betty Luke
An alleged Sh4.8 million corruption scheme has deprived six Igembe North villages of electricity infrastructure after funds allocated for the purchase and installation of transformers were reportedly embezzled.
The transformers were expected to expand access to electricity and support homes, businesses, schools and other public facilities. More than a decade later, investigators say the projects remain incomplete despite the funds having ‘used’
According to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the money was allocated during the 2014/2015 financial year to purchase and install six electricity transformers at Buathine, Ethiopia, Ntobocui, Luciuti MCK, Marere Centre and Muurune with each project being allocated Sh800,000.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has now arrested three suspects linked to the embezzlement which had been allocated under the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF).
The suspects, Pauline Waruguru Mwangi, James Muroki Eusebio and James Ntonjira Ntongai, were arrested on Wednesday and are expected to be arraigned before the Meru Law Courts to face corruption-related charges.
Reports by the anti-graft agency, the funds were transferred into six separate project bank accounts before being withdrawn on the same day by account signatories James Muroki Eusebio, James Ntonjira Ntongai and Joshua M’maroo allegedly with the authority of the then NG-CDF Fund Manager, Pauline Waruguru Mwangi.
The commission said the NG-CDF committee claimed it had engaged the former Rural Electrification Authority (REA) and the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) to undertake the projects.
However, the two institutions denied receiving any payment or official communication relating to the procurement.
Detectives further established that no transformers were supplied or installed at any of the six project sites despite the full amount having been withdrawn from the accounts.
The EACC announced that an inquiry file had been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who approved the prosecution of four suspects on charges including conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption, unlawful acquisition of public property, abuse of office and misappropriation of NG-CDF funds.
The commission has directed the fourth suspect, Joshua M’maroo, to report to its Upper Eastern Regional Office in Isiolo or any other EACC office for processing and arraignment, reiterating its commitment to protecting public resources and ensuring those implicated in corruption and economic crimes are held accountable.
