The country’s anti-corruption watchdog says nine sitting governors are under investigation in a widening probe into alleged theft of public funds.
Speaking on Tuesday, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) chairperson Dr David Oginde told Citizen TV that his team is pursuing cases in several counties where leaders are accused of funneling millions meant for development into private pockets.
“We are pursuing quite a number of governors at the moment – nine are under scrutiny at different stages of their cases,” Dr Oginde said. “It’s not just governors. It goes down to other county staff.”
According to Dr Oginde, some of the counties under investigation are among Kenya’s most marginalised. The irony, he said, is that money meant to lift those communities out of poverty is being channelled into luxury apartments and businesses in Nairobi.
“I have been surprised that some of the worst-hit counties are those that are considered marginalised,” he said. “They have been given privileges to try and bring the county up, but the leaders in those counties are siphoning that money and bringing it back to Nairobi.”
Investigators say the schemes often involve tender manipulation, with county insiders setting up companies to win inflated contracts. Junior officers are sometimes used as conduits, transferring funds on behalf of senior officials.
Dr Oginde warned that political interference remains one of the biggest hurdles in fighting graft. “We have had situations where we arrest senior people and even the day they are coming to record statements, our offices are raided by their supporters,” he said.
The EACC has not named the governors, citing the ongoing investigations. Critics, however, argue that without swift prosecutions, such probes risk becoming a cycle of headlines without justice.
For now, the Commission insists its work will continue despite the pushback. “Counties are what are keeping us busy right now,” Dr Oginde said, adding that unchecked corruption is eroding trust and stalling development across the country.
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