The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has launched simultaneous search operations targeting the offices and residences of Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo and several senior county officials concerning allegations of corruption and economic crimes involving Ksh382 million.
According to reports from the anti-graft agency, the investigations center on the irregular procurement and award of a contract valued at Ksh382 million for constructing county government offices, which was awarded to Spentech Engineering Limited.
The commission disclosed that the contractor is alleged to have received payments exceeding the value of the work completed. Preliminary valuation reports indicate a significant loss of public funds and a lack of value for money.
In addition to the procurement irregularities, EACC is investigating allegations that Governor Nyaribo irregularly authorized payments totaling Ksh18 million to himself. This comprises Ksh5 million as ex gratia payment and Ksh13 million as house allowance reimbursement.
The ongoing searches, conducted simultaneously across Nyamira, Kisii, and Nairobi counties, target the residences and offices of five county officials identified as persons of interest in the matter.
Besides the governor, those targeted include Lameck Machuki Nyariki, Director of Housing and Physical Planning; Peris Mose, Director of Roads and formerly Head of Procurement; Asberth Maobe, Chief Officer for Finance and Accounting Services; and Josphat Oruru, Chief Officer for Roads, Transport and Public Works.
The commission stated that the objective of the search operations is to recover documents and digital evidence relevant to the investigations.
EACC, in relation to the recovery of graft money, has demonstrated increasing effectiveness in asset recovery from corruption cases.
Recently, the anti-corruption body announced the successful auction of five properties recovered from former Migori Governor Okoth Obado and former City County of Nairobi head of treasury Stephen Ogaga Osiro.
The public auction, held on October 9, 2025, saw the five Nairobi-based properties sold at prices exceeding their valuation reserve prices, generating a total of Ksh69.7 million.
The disposed properties were among ten assets scheduled for sale following court orders issued in a corruption case involving the alleged theft of Ksh73.4 million from Migori County Government coffers between 2013 and 2017.
The highest-priced property, a Loresho Ridge Estate Town House, commanded Ksh31 million, while a three-bedroom apartment at Riara fetched Ksh14 million. Other properties included apartments and a maisonette at Greenspan Estate, which sold for between Ksh6.7 million and Ksh11 million.
The auctioned properties were surrendered through a negotiated settlement between Obado, his co-accused, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Under the plea bargain arrangement, the accused agreed to forfeit assets worth approximately Ksh235 million, more than three times the disputed amount.
