The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (CHRD) has commended the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for its recent decisive action in arresting several senior financial officers and chief officers from Turkana County over corruption allegations. The arrests, which follow extensive investigations, are being hailed as a significant step in the fight against entrenched graft within county governments.
Speaking on behalf of CHRD, Director Kipkorir Ngetich praised EACC Chairperson Bishop David Oginde for demonstrating bold leadership and commitment to rooting out corruption at the devolved level.
“The EACC’s efforts deserve national recognition. The recent arrests in Turkana County reflect a serious and much-needed push against the deeply rooted corruption cartels that have turned county governments into centers of organized looting,” Ngetich stated.
Counties Turned into “Graft Havens”
CHRD raised concern over the alarming accumulation of wealth by senior county officials — particularly within governors’ offices, finance departments, and procurement units — noting that in many cases, their assets far exceed the limits of their official salaries.
“Many of these individuals have not only amassed suspicious wealth but have also actively obstructed investigations and manipulated audit processes to cover their tracks,” Ngetich said.
He further alleged that the looting schemes often involve a web of collusion among procurement officers, contractors, accountants, and even legal firms. Some payments were reportedly made for goods or services never delivered, while others were issued for tenders awarded through fraudulent means at inflated prices.
Call for Broader Action Beyond Turkana
While lauding the recovery of over KSh 6 million from a chief officer in Turkana and the ongoing investigation into the Kiambu County Governor's wealth, CHRD emphasized that the crackdown must not stop there.
“We urge the EACC to extend similar investigations to Nandi and Uasin Gishu counties, where the vice is believed to be deep-rooted. All finance, procurement, and revenue officers in these counties must be urgently audited,” said Ngetich.
CHRD also called for EACC to go beyond surface-level investigations and probe the networks used by corrupt officials to hide their ill-gotten wealth — including relatives, friends, and law firms often used as proxies in property acquisitions.
A Warning Against Cosmetic Raids
Ngetich cautioned that while the recent raids are a good step, Kenyans must not be appeased by one-time public relations operations.
“This fight must be sustained, systematic, and thorough. We are missing essential services because of organized graft. These raids should not be mere media stunts, but part of a continuous campaign to dismantle corruption at its core,” he said.
Hope for Clean, Accountable Leadership
CHRD expressed optimism that if EACC continues on this path with consistency and integrity, the result will be improved service delivery, restored public trust, and meaningful development at the county level.
“The success of this mission will mean a better future for the Kenyan people — especially the mwananchi, who bears the tax burden but gets nothing in return when money is stolen,” concluded Ngetich.
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