The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) of Kenya has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to fighting graft by raiding the homes of two senior officials of the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA).
This is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged misappropriation of public funds and irregular acquisition of multi-million shilling properties.
The suspects, Mutambu Kilonzi, KeRRA’s Regional Accountant for Lamu County, and Eng. Joseph Murage Kimata, the Regional Director for Kirinyaga County, are wanted for their involvement in the misappropriation of more than Ksh.500 million through fraudulent procurement practices in road construction and maintenance tenders.
The two officials allegedly masterminded a series of fraudulent activities, enriching themselves through the abuse of their public offices.
On Thursday, EACC officers raided Kilonzi’s residence, a move that followed a similar raid a week earlier at Kimata’s residence in Kirinyaga.
During these operations, crucial evidence was collected linking the duo to the ownership of various high-value assets, which the EACC seeks to forfeit to the government once formal charges are brought against them.
The investigation revealed that Kilonzi is accused of manipulating tender processes and facilitating payments worth over Ksh.216 million to four companies owned by his wife and relatives.
These companies M/s Felia Company Limited, M/s Kife Company Limited, M/s Joekin Company Limited, and M/s Trinam Company Limited received payments between the 2020 and 2023 financial years.
EACC investigations discovered that Felia and Kife Company Limited were registered under his wife, Felistus Ndunge Kilonzo, while Joekin and Trinam were linked to his relative, Edward Musyoki Kituva.
Kilonzi’s manipulation of the tender process resulted in personal gain, including direct financial benefits and hardware supplies amounting to Ksh.9,133,340.
These funds were used to construct the Mutomo Highway Cottage hotel, a property owned by Kilonzi.
As a result, the EACC recommended that the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) charge Kilonzi with conflict of interest, abuse of office, and embezzlement of public funds amounting to Ksh.108,501,993.
The commission aims to hold him accountable for the misuse of public resources for personal benefit.Eng. Joseph Murage Kimata, who has served as the KeRRA Regional Director in Kirinyaga County and previously in Kiambu County, is also implicated in similar fraudulent activities.
According to the EACC, Kimata awarded contracts worth over Ksh.311 million to companies linked to a former colleague, Fidelis Mumbi.
Mumbi, who had previously worked with Kimata at KeRRA in Kiambu, is the director of four companies Njosca Enterprises Ltd, Lebca Lebca Enterprises Ltd, Dolin Enterprises Ltd, and Kippetu General Mercantile Ltd which were awarded lucrative road construction contracts.
Between the 2016 and 2023 financial years, payments made to these companies totaled Ksh.311,125,109.90.
Among these, Njosca Enterprises Ltd received Ksh.71,820,136.50, Lebca Lebca Enterprises Ltd received Ksh.115,573,198.50, Dolin Enterprises Ltd received Ksh.109,773,225.50, and Kippetu General Mercantile Ltd received Ksh.13,958,549.40.
Furthermore, Kimata benefited from these corrupt dealings when Ksh.6 million was transferred to East African Cables from one of these companies.
The funds were used for purchasing materials used in the construction of a property owned by Kimata in Thindigua, underscoring the misuse of public funds for personal enrichment.
The EACC’s investigation into these officials highlights the continued challenges in addressing corruption within Kenya’s public sector.
While corruption remains a significant impediment to the country’s development, the commission’s actions signal a broader push towards accountability and the safeguarding of public resources.
The raids, evidence collection, and impending legal action against Kilonzi and Kimata serve as a deterrent to other public officers engaged in similar corrupt practices.
Moreover, the probe shines a light on the need for greater transparency and oversight in public procurement processes, especially within key sectors like road construction and maintenance, which are vital to Kenya’s infrastructure development.
The embezzlement of Ksh.500 million in this case represents a major setback to national development, especially considering the critical role that roads play in connecting rural areas to markets, schools, healthcare facilities, and other essential services.
The EACC’s efforts are part of a broader national agenda to combat corruption, which has been a priority for successive Kenyan governments. Corruption drains resources meant for public service delivery and erodes public trust in government institutions.
Holding individuals like Kilonzi and Kimata accountable, the commission seeks not only to recover stolen assets but also to restore faith in Kenya’s public institutions.
The public and government agencies will keenly await the outcomes of the charges and court proceedings against the two officials.
Their fate will send a clear message about the country’s commitment to rooting out corruption at all levels of government.
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