EACC accused of delay in handling Nyandarua graft cases
The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) office has been accused of dilly-dallying in graft cases involving Nyandarua County.
A group of activists christened “Set Nyandarua Free” claims there are seven cases that have been reported to the EACC since 2018 but says no prosecution has taken place.
The group comprises professionals, opinion leaders and former gubernatorial candidates.
“Delay in investigating cases from Nyandarua County by the Nyeri EACC is by design and not a coincidence. There must be gatekeepers or patrons who have blocked the progress of the cases,” said the group in a press conference.
The EACC Central region head Charles Rasugu when contacted dismissed the allegations as untrue.
“I want to assure the (Nyandarua) leaders there is nothing like gatekeeping in cases being handled in this office. All cases will be investigated,” Rasugu said on phone.
The allegations come barely a week after EACC raided Nyandarua County offices and went away with documents relating to the award of the tender.
“The investors’ conference case was completed and file forwarded to the DPP, we are waiting for feedback,” Rasugu said adding that they are handling the County branding tender case where Ksh51 million was paid.
He said the Nyeri EACC office handles a lot of documents and information from the six counties under its jurisdiction.
Rasugu said he needs time to check on the status of other cases reported from Nyandarua.
Among cases reported to EACC in 2019 is the single sourcing of Sh500 million road machinery and equipment.
The group also wants EACC to speed up investigations on the misuse of funds meant for garbage collection and markets construction under the Kenya Urban Support Programme, a World Bank project.
They said the matter was reported to World Bank and EACC last year but no action has been taken.
“We have seen governors prosecuted and removed from office on corruption charges but their crimes are a drop in the ocean compared to what is happening in Nyandarua,” the statement said.
