Allegations of corruption in Kilifi County have taken a disturbing turn after revelations linking Auditor-General officer Raphael Muigai Ikame to a web of bribery, favoritism, and audit manipulation.
His association with former county finance chief Yaye Shosi Ahmed has raised serious ethical questions and exposed cracks in the country’s financial oversight system.
What started as mere gossip about questionable audit practices has now evolved into one of the most damaging corruption stories to hit Kilifi in recent years.
Ikame, who was entrusted with ensuring accountability and transparency in the management of public funds, is now accused of using his position for personal gain.
Insiders claim he colluded with senior county officials to conceal fraudulent transactions and clear suspicious expenditures in exchange for bribes.
This has put both the Office of the Auditor-General and Kilifi’s financial management under sharp scrutiny. Critics argue that this case has once again exposed deep-seated impunity in public institutions where officers facing serious accusations continue to hold office without consequences.
The controversy surrounding Ikame is not new. In 2018, he was suspended over allegations of demanding a KSh 20 million bribe to manipulate audit findings in favor of a county government.
Although the case was later settled out of court, the move raised eyebrows within governance circles. The fact that Ikame was later reinstated to his position despite his tainted record has been described by civil society groups as a betrayal of public trust and a clear sign that corruption within watchdog institutions remains unchecked.
After his return, he was allegedly linked to questionable audits across various counties, reportedly running a network of junior officers who collected bribes from counties in exchange for favorable audit outcomes.
The situation in Kilifi has further deepened suspicions due to Ikame’s close personal ties with former County Finance CECM Yaye Shosi Ahmed.
Sources within the county claim the two were romantically involved, creating a glaring conflict of interest. With Shosi overseeing the county’s finances and Ikame responsible for auditing the same funds, their alleged collaboration is believed to have enabled the concealment of irregular contracts and the manipulation of audit reports.
This relationship reportedly helped politically connected contractors secure lucrative deals while genuine financial discrepancies were hidden.
The fallout became public after a procurement dispute involving payments Shosi allegedly refused to authorize.
The disagreement is said to have sparked tension within the county, leading to her resignation amid growing political and public pressure.
Reports suggest that she left office with unexplained wealth, prompting ongoing investigations into her financial dealings.
Residents and watchdog groups in Kilifi are now demanding that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Office of the Auditor-General act swiftly to investigate both Ikame and Shosi.
Activists argue that this scandal illustrates how corruption has deeply infiltrated Kenya’s devolved financial systems, allowing personal interests and political connections to override accountability.
The unfolding Kilifi scandal is a stark reminder that the fight against corruption cannot succeed when those mandated to enforce integrity are part of the problem.
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