The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested Leonard Kevin Nyamasege, the Deputy Clerk and Director of Finance and Accounts at the Nyamira County Assembly, over alleged procurement irregularities linked to the construction of an office block.
According to the EACC, investigations established that the tender was irregularly awarded to Jetta Builders Ltd despite the company not being the lowest evaluated bidder. The commission alleges that the unlawful award resulted in an undue financial benefit of KSh30.19 million to the contractor.
Following the investigations, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions approved charges against Nyamasege and five other suspects. The charges include abuse of office, wilful failure to comply with public finance laws and negligence of official duty.
Nyamasege was arraigned before the Nyamira Law Courts on Tuesday. However, plea-taking was deferred after his lawyer informed the court that the High Court in Kisumu had issued orders temporarily staying his arrest and prosecution.
The case will be mentioned on July 28 for further directions.
The arrest comes after the earlier apprehension of Duke Simeon Onyari, the Clerk of the Nyamira County Assembly, in connection with the same investigation.
The EACC says efforts to trace and arrest the remaining suspects are ongoing as investigations continue.
