By Andrew Kariuki
Several former Homa Bay County officials and a private company are set to be charged following investigations into alleged procurement irregularities involving Ksh348,927,840 linked to the construction of the Homa Bay County Assembly office block.
The decision follows the submission of an inquiry file by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which examined the award of Tender No. HBCA/T/W6/2018–2019 for the proposed construction project.
According to the case file, investigators established that the procurement process was allegedly conducted in breach of public procurement laws, with claims that the contract was awarded to a company associated with individuals working within the county government at the time.
Those listed to face charges include former County Assembly Clerk Odhiambo Daniel Kaudo, former acting clerk Faith Adhiambo Apuko, Patrick Tunoi, a senior superintendent quantity surveyor at the State Department of Public Works and James Mumali Oyuka, a director of Hartland Enterprises Limited.
Also named are Mary Pauline Oduor, a principal nurse at Homa Bay Referral Hospital and director of Hartland Enterprises Limited, Roseline Anyango Odhiambo, a former county executive committee member for lands, as well as Hartland Enterprises Limited as a corporate entity.
The suspects are expected to be charged with offences including abuse of office, failure to comply with procurement laws, conflict of interest and unlawful and fraudulent acquisition of public property under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.
Court dates for the arraignment of the accused persons are expected to be communicated once formal charge sheets are filed.
