Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have arrested three people accused of taking part in the alleged theft of Ksh.4.8 million that had been set aside for electricity projects in Igembe North Constituency under the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF).
Those arrested are Pauline Waruguru Mwangi, James Muroki Eusebio and James Ntonjira Ntongai. The three were taken into custody on Wednesday and are expected to appear before the Meru Law Courts to face several corruption-related charges.
The case follows investigations into claims that money allocated during the 2014/2015 financial year for the purchase and installation of six electricity transformers was misused instead of being spent on the intended projects.
According to the EACC, the Igembe North NG-CDF Committee received Ksh.4.8 million for the six transformer projects.
Each project was allocated Ksh.800,000 to support the purchase and installation of transformers at Buathine, Ethiopia, Ntobocui, Luciuti MCK, Marere Centre and Muurune.Investigators say the money was deposited into six different project bank accounts before it was allegedly withdrawn on the same day.
The withdrawals were reportedly made by account signatories James Muroki Eusebio, James Ntonjira Ntongai and Joshua M’maroo with the approval of the then NG-CDF Fund Manager, Pauline Waruguru Mwangi.
The commission further stated that the constituency committee claimed it had engaged the former Rural Electrification Authority (REA) and the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) to carry out the work.
However, investigations revealed that both institutions denied receiving any payment or official communication relating to the procurement or installation of the transformers.
The EACC also established that despite the withdrawal of the funds, no transformers were supplied or installed at any of the six identified sites.
This raised concerns that the public money had been diverted from its intended purpose.After completing the investigations, the anti-graft agency forwarded the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who approved charges against the four suspects.
The charges include conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption, unlawful acquisition of public property, abuse of office and misappropriation of Constituency Development Fund money.
While three suspects have already been arrested, the EACC 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 before being presented in court.
The commission said it remains committed to protecting public resources and ensuring that anyone found responsible for corruption and economic crimes is held accountable through the law.
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