Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have arrested Gadiel Maganga, the Clerk of Taita Taveta County Assembly.
Maganga’s arrest came on Friday morning following the dismissal of a case he had brought before the High Court in Voi against the EACC and the ODPP, seeking to halt his arrest and prosecution for alleged fraudulent expenditure during a bonding trip by 21 Members of County Assembly to Zanzibar in 2022.
On Thursday, Justice George Dulu declined to grant the orders sought by the clerk, thereby paving the way for his prosecution. “The Clerk faces graft charges alongside the Deputy Speaker Mwadime Chao, who has since pleaded not guilty to charges,” stated the EACC.
Investigations conducted by the anti-graft body revealed that a sum of Ksh.17 million was expended on the trip, with Ksh.9 million directly disbursed to organizers for logistical purposes, while Ksh.8 million was advanced as imprest to 30 officials, including 21 MCAs.
“The County Assembly utilized forged documents to justify the fraudulent expenditure. Certain officials were remunerated excessively, and some individuals who received allowances did not actually travel,” explained the EACC.
