City Hall official’s accounts frozen in corruption probe
Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chairman Mumo Matemu addressing reporters at a past press conference. The anti-graft agency has called for the suspension of Nairobi County Chief Finance Officer Jimmy Mutuku Kiamba after millions of shillings were allegedly found in several of his bank accounts. PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI |
What you need to know:
- The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) wrote to the County Secretary and Head of Public Service, Ms Lilian Ndegwa, asking for the officer’s suspension to allow for further investigations.
- EACC spokesperson Yasin Amaro told the Nation that the agency had succeeded in having some of Mr Kiamba’s bank accounts frozen pending the conclusion of investigations.
The anti-graft agency has called for the suspension of Nairobi County Chief Finance Officer Jimmy Mutuku Kiamba after millions of shillings were allegedly found in several of his bank accounts.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) wrote to the County Secretary and Head of Public Service, Ms Lilian Ndegwa, asking for the officer’s suspension to allow for further investigations.
EACC deputy secretary Michael Mubea said in the letter on Wednesday that Mr Kiamba’s continued stay in office was a hindrance to the investigations.
“EACC has undertaken preliminary investigations whose results indicate the said Jimmy Mutuku Kiamba has, during his tenure at Nairobi City County, made large deposits in several bank accounts running into hundreds of millions of shillings,” Mr Mubea said in the letter.
FUNDS EMBEZZLEMENT
EACC further claimed the officer may have been involved in embezzlement of public funds.
The letter dated December 2 also pleads with the county government to stick to an earlier memorandum of understanding between the agency and the county about supporting investigations against the suspect.
The move by the EACC came even as it was revealed that the county government was unable to pay most of its suppliers due to a Sh45 billion outstanding debt.
EACC spokesperson Yasin Amaro told the Nation that the agency had succeeded in having some of Mr Kiamba’s bank accounts frozen pending the conclusion of investigations.
The Nairobi County Government has not responded to EACC’s request to have the officer suspended.
UNCONTROLLED EXPENDITURE
The investigations are also said to be focusing on other top county government officers and their proxies, who may also be implicated.
Several county officers around the country are on the EACC radar following complaints of uncontrolled expenditure of devolved resources. There has been a public outcry over claims of abuse of county funds.
Two months ago, the EACC detectives pounced on some Migori County government officials following a petition on alleged .
The team has also visited Machakos, Kisii, Homa Bay and Nyamira to follow up on concerns of the use of devolved funds on questionable procurements and deals.
