The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested Esther Wanjiru Chege, an Assistant Accountant at the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), on allegations of conflict of interest and unlawful acquisition of public property amounting to over Ksh38 million.
Chege was arrested on Friday, May 2, along with three other suspects, following the conclusion of investigations into irregular tender awards involving companies linked to her immediate family members.
According to an EACC statement released on Tuesday, May 6, Chege is accused of using her position at KeRRA to influence the award of public contracts to businesses owned by her spouse and brother.
Among the firms under scrutiny is Reswan Enterprises Limited, whose bank accounts were reportedly operated by Chege, despite the company being registered under her brother, James Chege Njoroge, and a businessman, James Ngigi Kamau.
Other companies named in the investigation include Rokays Enterprise Limited, Reswan Holdings Limited, and Kaydtech Enterprises Limited—all allegedly owned by Chege’s husband, Robert Macharia Kimotho. These companies reportedly secured multiple tenders while Chege worked in various KeRRA regional offices.
The case file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who reviewed and agreed with the EACC’s recommendations to charge the suspects under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (ACECA).
All four suspects were arraigned at the Kajiado Law Courts on Tuesday, where they pleaded not guilty to charges including conflict of interest, unlawful acquisition of public property, and conspiracy to commit an economic crime.
