The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) on Wednesday, April 24 raided the home of former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani in Marsabit and arrested him in a suspected graft probe.
Reports suggest that Yatani is currently in the custody of EACC detectives and is expected to undergo questioning regarding his alleged involvement in the misappropriation of billions of shillings. The former CS was scheduled to present himself at the EACC Integrity Centre Police Station early in the morning.
Simultaneously, the EACC conducted a raid on the residence of the current Marsabit Governor, Mohamud Mohamed Ali, along with several other high-ranking county officials.
Governor Ali is expected to be taken to the EACC’s Isiolo office for formal processing and further interrogation as part of the extensive multi-billion graft investigation.
While the reasons behind the raid on Yatani’s home remain unclear, the Commission had previously urged the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga to pursue charges against allies of former President Uhuru Kenyatta implicated in unlawfully navigating the Ksh6 billion Telkom takeover debacle.
Details outlined in the EACC’s third quarterly report spanning July to September 2023, signed by CEO Twalib Mbarak and chairperson David Oginde, shed light on Yatani’s predicament. Alongside him, former Treasury Principal Secretary (PS) Julius Muia and Dr. Margret Nyakang’o face scrutiny over the Ksh6 billion Telkom acquisition.
A report recommending charges against these officials was submitted to Ingonga on August 29, 2023, yet action on the EACC’s suggestions is pending.
Facing charges compounds the troubles for Dr. Nyakang’o, who already faces three counts of fraud, operating an unlicensed Sacco, and forgery. Her prosecution is temporarily halted following a High Court injunction.
The controversy surrounding the acquisition of a 60 per cent stake in Telkom Kenya at Ksh6 billion during the tenure of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration looms large. The deal, executed ahead of the 2022 general election, has stirred public outcry and legal scrutiny.
The EACC’s report explicitly names various individuals, including former Telkom executives and government officials, slated for potential prosecution in connection with the Telkom deal.
The inquiry began with a complaint lodged by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Samuel Njoroge on March 6, 2023, prompting the EACC to initiate investigations into the purported irregular acquisition of Telkom Kenya shares by the government from Helios Investors LLP for Ksh6 billion.
Investigations revealed that the quest for potential investors ceased following a letter dated March 29, 2022, authored by Yatani, signaling the government’s acceptance of Jamhuri Holdings Limited’s decision to divest from Telkom.
Documents presented before Parliament indicate grievances expressed by the Government of Kenya, leading to Helios Investors LLP/JHL’s exit from Telkom Kenya between April and September 2022.
