Inside Politics

EACC demands 241 candidates be barred from August election

Thursday, June 2nd, 2022 00:43 | By
Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission chief executive Twalib Mbarak. PHOTO/File

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) yesterday warned the electoral commission against clearing 241 aspirants for the August 9 General Election over integrity issues.

In a statement, the anti-graft agency asked the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to take into consideration the integrity issues before clearing the aspirants, among them, sitting and former governors and MPs.

EACC stated that the aspirants in question have cases in various courts or their files were before the commission.

The list has already been submitted to the electoral commission and is currently being verified.

“Report on the integrity status of aspirants seeking various political positions. This follows an integrity verification process undertaken by the Commission in respect to 21,863 persons seeking registration as candidates for various political positions,” read a statement by the EACC.

Among the key figures on EACC’s radar and whose names are being verified by IEBC are former Nairobi governors Mike Sonko and his predecessor Evans Kidero, Migori Governor Okoth Obado, former Garissa Governor Nathif Jama and former Nyandarua Governor Mwangi Waithaka.

Economic crime

Current governors on the list include Ali Korane (Garissa), Mwangi wa Iria (Murang’a), Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Alfred Mutua (Machakos) Fahim Twaha (Lamu), Dhadho Godana (Tana River) and Sospeter Ojamoong (Busia).

Other prominent names on the list include Chris Obure who is vying for the Kisii governor position.

MPs facing charges include Richard Onyonka (Kitutu Chache South), John Waluke (Sirisia), Oscar Sudi (Kapseret), Gladys Shollei (Uasin Gishu), Jonah Mburu (Lari), Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills) and Jimmy Angwenyi (Kitutu Chache North).

Others are Nakuru Town East MP Samuel Arama and Didmus Barasa (Kimilili).

In the statement, EACC said: “The Commission has flagged out 241 persons with various outstanding integrity issues related to corruption and economic crime. EACC considers these persons to have fallen short of the moral and ethical standards stipulated for election to public office. EACC hopes that IEBC will make appropriate decisions guided by Constitutional Values and public interest.”

The commission further stated that the report to IEBC is limited to investigations and other law enforcement actions undertaken by the commission in respect of the listed aspirants.

“In this regard, the fact that EACC does not have data relating to an aspirant does not mean the absence of outstanding integrity issues,” stated the commission.

The Commission further noted that the Chief Justice had constituted a bench to hear and determine the petitions filed in court seeking clarification of the law on the integrity threshold for elective office.

“EACC looks forward to the outcome of this court process to further inform IEBC decisions on the eligibility EACC looks forward to the outcome of this court process to further inform IEBC decisions on the eligibility of persons seeking election to public office,” stated the commission.

According to the statement, Wa Iria who is vying for the presidency on a Usawa Kwa Wote party, is under investigation over allegations of obstructing EACC investigators and destruction of evidence when executing a search warrant.

EACC stated that it investigations had established that Wa Iria was culpable. He has, however, not taken plea due to a stay order in Murang’a High Court Petition No.2 of 2016. The matter is pending in court.

The Commission has also instituted a suit for recovery of Sh542 million being proceeds of corruption against the aspirant which is pending in court.

Kidero, who is vying for the Homa Bay governor seat, is being investigated for impropriety, corruption and economic crimes while serving as Nairobi governor.

Some of the allegations investigated included irregular payment of Sh28 million to a private company associated with the aspirant’s brother; and irregular payment of Sh68 million to a law firm and a private company which later transferred the money to a private company associated with Kidero.

Mutua, who the commission states is vying for the Mwala parliamentary seat, is under investigations of alleged abuse of office in the purchase of second hand Subaru vehicles valued at Sh47 million for the county.

Korane faces two counts of conspiracy to commit an offence of economic crime and corruption and Economic Crimes.

The charges are linked to allegations of embezzlement of public funds amounting to Sh233.5 million from the Garissa county Kenya Urban Support Programme.

Dhadho is under investigation over allegations of procurement irregularities and price exaggeration in the award of tenders.

Jama, who is seeking to reclaim the Garissa governor’s seat, is facing abuse of office case for failing to comply with procurement procedures in the leasing of ambulances at a cost of Sh70 million from Emergency-Plus (E-Plus) Medical Services, a subsidiary of Red Cross Kenya for the Garissa County Government. The aspirant was, however, acquitted.

Sonko was impeached two years ago by the Nairobi County Assembly and approved by the Senate for gross violation of the Constitution.

He challenged the impeachment at the High Court but was not successful. A further appeal to the Court of Appeal was dismissed and his impeachment upheld.

Sonko has been charged in Court with conflict of interest, abuse of office, money laundering and conspiracy to defraud.

In Waiguru’s case, the commission says she is under investigation for abuse of office by irregular receipt of travel imprests amounting to Sh10.6 million for trips that were non-existent or not official.

She is facing another charge of conspiracy to pay a private company Sh52 million. The investigation established culpability on the part of Waiguru and a recommendation to charge made.

Hassan Noor, who is vying for the Mandera governor’s position, is facing abuse of office charges.

Obure is facing an abuse of office case where he’s accused of irregular procurement for supply and installation of VSAT Equipment to the Postal Corporation of Kenya.

A court declared that Thuo Mathenge, who is vying for the Nyeri governor seat, holds an invalid degree certificate.

Twaha is accused of irregular recruitment of staff at the county government of Lamu.

Quit deadline

Marsabit governor Mohamed Ali Mohamed is facing an abuse of office charge for alleged irregular recruitment County Public Service Board members and chief officers.

Former Petroleum Cabinet Secretary John Munyes, who is aspiring for the Turkana governor’s position, is being investigated on claims that he failed to resign as Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Energy by the 9th February deadline.

Former West Pokot governor Simon Kachapin is being investigated on whether he resigned as a CEC Education.

Former Kiambu Women Representative Ann Nyokabi is also under investigation on whether she resigned as an employee of the Cabinet Office (Office of the President) as at 9th February.

Former MP Danson Mungatana, who wants to be the Tana River senator, was charged with conspiracy to commit an economic crime.

Onyonka is on the other hand facing a case of failing to remit taxes totaling to Sh21 million relating to the purchase of sugar for IDPs worth Sh132 million from Chemelil Sugar Company using CDF.

Former PS Lillian Omollo who is vying for Embu Women Rep charged with abuse of Office charges.

Shollei was charged with two counts of abuse of office linked to the acquisition of a residence for the Chief Justice and irregular payment of Sh46.4 million

Waluke, who has since been cleared to vie, was charged and convicted and found guilty on three counts, and fined a total of Sh727.4 million.

Sudi was also cleared despite facing several forgery cases.

Arama is facing fraud related charges whose sentencing is set for June 9th.

Ojaamong, who is vying for the Teso South parliamentary seat, is facing abuse of office charges.

Baraza is facing forgery charges over his bachelor’s degree certificate.

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