Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officers have arrested a Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) official for awarding a tender worth Ksh6.4 million to a company belonging to her daughter.
EACC in a statement issued on Friday, July 19, 2024, stated that it had arrested Janet Mwendwa over a conflict of interest.
“The Commission, this morning, arrested one Janet Mwendwa, an employee of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to face charges over a fraudulent tender worth Ksh6,436,934.40 awarded to a company owned by her daughter,” the commission said in the statement.
Trading with KPA
EACC in the statement further notes that the official is suspected to have traded with KPA through her daughter’s company.
According to the anti-graft agency, Mwendwa participated in the tender evaluation process that saw her daughter get awarded.
“The official, who is suspected to have traded with KPA through her daughter’s company, participated in the tender evaluation process leading to the award,” the EACC statement reads in part.
The suspect was on Friday, July 19, 2024, arraigned at Mombasa Anti-Corruption Court for plea taking.
EACC on Mwendwa’s arrest
Her arrest came after Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga okayed the EACC’s recommendations.
In the file forwarded to the DPP, EACC had recommended against Mwendwa the charges of conflict of interest, unlawful acquisition of public property, fraudulent practice in procurement and uttering false documents, contrary to the law.
“She has been escorted to the Mombasa Anti-Corruption Court to take a plea. Janet was arrested after the DPP concurred with the Commission’s recommendations that she be charged with conflict of interest, unlawful acquisition of public property, fraudulent practice in procurement and uttering false documents, contrary to the law,” EACC stated.
ARREST AND ARRAIGNMENT OF A KPA OFFICIAL OVER CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND PROCUREMENT FRAUD
The Commission, this morning, arrested one Janet Mwendwa, an employee of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to face charges over a fraudulent tender worth Kes. 6,436,934.40 awarded to a company… pic.twitter.com/kAmhJgfyQN— EACC (@EACCKenya) July 19, 2024
EACC in the recent past has been uncovering various corruption cases within government ministries and parastatals.
EACC arrests millionaire cleaner
A cleaner at the State Department Department for Correctional Services has was on Thursday, July 18, 2024, arrested by the EACC officers in connection with the embezzlement of Ksh450 million.
In a statement issued via their X account, EACC revealed it had identified the cleaner as Eric Kipkurui Mutai, who reportedly owns seven companies that received Ksh257 million despite not supplying anything to the prison stations.