By Anchor Writers
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested Kitui County Chief Officer for Agriculture and Fisheries Gladys Mami Kivoto( Pictured below) and six company directors over an alleged conflict of interest and procurement irregularities involving contracts worth Sh17.48 million.
Kivoto, who has publicly expressed interest in vying for the Kitui South parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election, was arrested on Thursday following investigations that EACC says uncovered a scheme in which she allegedly traded with the County Government through proxy companies while serving as a senior public officer.
According to EACC, investigations established that Kivoto conducted business with Kitui County through five companies namely Shanel Construction Company Ltd, ECO Stone Company Ltd, AZ Links Company Ltd, DTK Construction Company Ltd and 4-Walls Company Ltd.
The companies are said to have received cumulative payments of Sh14,115,916.30 from the county between the 2018/2019 and 2024/2025 financial years.
EACC alleges that while serving as Chief Officer and Accounting and Authorised Expenditure holder in the Departments of Irrigation and Agriculture and Fisheries, Kivoto awarded contracts to the companies and also approved payments in their favour.
The Commission further said investigations established that Josephine Mwikali Wambua, a director of Shanel Construction Company Ltd, Makoma Wambua, a director of AZ Links Company Ltd, and Emmanuel Wambua, a director of ECO Stone Company Ltd are close relatives of Kivoto.
Investigators also reported tracing numerous financial transactions between Kivoto and directors of DTK Construction Company Ltd and 4-Walls Company Ltd.
Following completion of investigations, the inquiry file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who approved the prosecution of nine suspects on charges including conflict of interest, abuse of office, money laundering, acquisition of proceeds of crime and engaging in corrupt procurement practices.
Those arrested are Kivoto, Josephine Mwikali Wambua, Roselyne Kyambi Kilonzi, Mary Mueni Mbiti, Jonathan Kivondo Kieti and Onesmus Munyao Nzioka.
They are expected to be arraigned before the Kitui Law Courts.
EACC also directed Makoma Wambua, Emmanuel Wambua and Stella Nthenya Kioko, who are believed to have gone into hiding, to report immediately to its Lower Eastern Regional Office in Machakos or the nearest EACC office for processing.
In a statement, the anti-graft agency said it remains committed to safeguarding public resources and ensuring that all persons involved in corruption and economic crimes are held accountable.
It also urged State organs and public entities to strengthen compliance with the Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, by instituting effective measures for the declaration, management and prevention of conflicts of interest among public officers.
The arrests are likely to reverberate through Kitui’s political landscape, where Kivoto has been positioning herself as a contender for the Kitui South parliamentary seat ahead of next year’s election.
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