Senior Kenya Rural Roads Authority( KERRA)official Joel Mutambu Kilonzi has endured a raid by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
Commission officials raided the home and offices in Kitui of Mr. Kilonzi on Thursday. Kilonzi is the KeRRA Regional Accountant for Lamu County.
They are investigating allegations of corruption and fraudulent tendering processes amounting to Kes. 216.9m.
The tenders relate to road construction projects under the authority. Kilonzi previously held a similar position in Turkana County.
EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi stated that Kilonzi is under investigation for allegedly amassing unexplained wealth, suspected to be proceeds of corruption. Among the targeted assets in the probe is Kilonzi’s imposing Mutomo Highway Cottages in Kitui County.
EACC is seeking to forfeit the property to the state, terming it as illicit gains.
Detectives reportedly uncovered crucial evidence that could advance their case.
Kilonzi is suspected to have illegally traded with companies linked to him, his spouse, and a close associate.
He is one of several high-ranking KeRRA officials under investigation for their alleged role in the rampant corruption within the rural roads sector.
Ngumbi said that the EACC has already submitted a file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), recommending that Kilonzi and other implicated individuals face criminal charges for their involvement in the fraudulent schemes.
EACC contends that Mr.Kilonzi paid Ksh.216,938,688 to his proxy companies- Felia Company Limited, Kife Company Limited, Joekin Company Limited and Trinam Company Limited between 2020 and 2023 financial years.
The payments were done when he worked as a senior accountant in Turkana County.
Felia and Kife Company Limited are registered to his wife- Felistus Ndunge Kilonzi, meaning he was actually paying himself. Joekin and Trinam companies are registered under his relative Edward Musyoki Kituva.
Money trails,according to EACC, show how Kilonzi received Ksh.9,133,340 from the companies directly and through hardware supplies to construct the Mutomo Highway Cottage.
http://theanchormedia.org
