By Martin Masai
Machakos, Kenya – The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) yesterday launched a sweeping crackdown on alleged corruption in Machakos County, leading to the arrest of Finance Minister Onesmus Kuyu and Energy Chief Officer Abdi Guliye.
The operation, which targeted multiple locations, is linked to an ongoing probe into the fraudulent rehabilitation of 83 dams, a project valued at over KES 100 million.
EACC investigators executed simultaneous raids at six locations, including Kuyu’s residences in Membley along Thika Road and Masinga, as well as his county office in Machakos.
Officers reportedly turned his home upside down in their search for evidence.
In Machakos, Kuyu’s police bodyguard facilitated access to his office, while another team stormed the office of County Secretary Dr. Muya Ndambuki, locking out staff as they combed through documents. Armed, plainclothe and uniformed policemen stood guard through the presence of the EACC investigators in each location.
About 10 officials conducted the searches and carted away documents. Jubilant County staff were seen conversing animatedly as the raids progressed.
The crackdown extended to Energy Chief Officer Abdi Guliye’s home, where officers seized documents and electronic devices before escorting him to his office at dawn. Witnesses reported that six EACC officials later retrieved what appeared to be a CPU and additional files.
Sources also indicate that investigators visited Governor Wavinya Ndeti’s Kinanie home, where they reportedly spent the entire day. Unverified reports suggest that large sums of cash were recovered during the searches.
The probe centers on the Wavinya administration’s first major corruption scandal, in which over KES 100 million was allegedly paid for the rehabilitation of 83 dams. The project was awarded to Hayati Construction Company, a firm believed to have ties to the governor. At the time of the alleged fraud, Guliye served as the county’s water chief officer.
As of press time, Governor Ndeti, Kuyu, Guliye, and Finance Chief Officer Julius Kasanga had not made any public appearances. EACC spokesman Stephen Karuga confirmed that Kuyu and Guliye were recording statements at the commission’s headquarters.
This latest crackdown signals the EACC’s intensified efforts to curb corruption at the county level, a move that could have far-reaching political and legal implications.
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