By Betty Luke
The anti-graft agency has launched probe into alleged embezzlement of Sh,179 million paid to five accountants working with Isiolo county government as imprest.
The money, the agency has revealed, was paid to the county employees’ personal bank accounts on diverse dates between 2019 and June 2022.
The five are Joseph Gikera Mburu, Stephen Muthomi, Daniel Kanyugo Lenyangume, Monica Nkirote Rukwaro and Purity Nkatha and all work at the county’s Finance and Economic Planning department.
Preliminary investigation by the agency show that Mr Kanyugo, Ms Nkirote, Mr Muthomi, Ms Purity and Mr Gikera received Sh48.6 million, Sh30.4 million, Sh46.9 million, Sh20.4 million and Sh49.4 million respectively during the period funds that detectives believe were irregularly paid.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Upper Eastern boss Charles Rasugu has already written to the county government seeking crucial financial documents relating to the suspicious transactions.
In letters dated September 25 and addressed to individual accountants, the agency has requested for original payment vouchers and other supporting documents for the transactions.
Detectives suspect that the five were used as conduits for the irregular payment of the monies for sharing among senior county officials.
“The probe will inform the recovery of the lost public funds and criminal prosecution of those found culpable,” EACC said in a release.
