By Andrew Kariuki
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has secured a court order requiring a former Homa Bay County health official to refund over KSh10.9 million in salaries found to have been irregularly earned.
In a judgment delivered on March 13, 2026, Justice B.M. Musyoki ordered Odhiambo Ottoman Adel Walter, a former Deputy Director of Health – Preventive and Promotive in Homa Bay County, to repay Ksh10,991,712 received between June 2016 and August 2021.
The case arose from investigations by the EACC which established that during the period in question, Odhiambo was simultaneously employed on permanent and pensionable terms by the County Government of Homa Bay while also holding a similar position at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in Kisumu County.
The Commission moved to court on June 12, 2024, seeking recovery of the funds on grounds that the dual employment amounted to a conflict of interest and unlawful acquisition of public resources.
In its determination, the Anti-Corruption Court held that it was both unlawful and unethical for a public officer to draw salaries from two government institutions in a manner that undermines efficient service delivery.
The court directed that the full amount be refunded within 90 days, warning that failure to comply would allow the Commission to proceed with execution of the decree.
