A cleaner at the State Department Department for Correctional Services has been arrested by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in connection with the embezzlement of Ksh450 million.
In a statement issued on their X account on Wednesday, July 18, 2024, 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.
“Among the arrested suspects is one Eric Kipkirui Mutai, a cleaner at the State Department, who owns 7 companies that received Ksh257 million of the stolen amount. The suspects are currently detained at Kilimani Police Station pending arraignment tomorrow, 9:00 am,” EACC noted.
Senior officials among those arrested
In addition, the anti-graft commission stated that five senior Ministry of Interior officials were also arrested as investigations into the graft scheme continued.
Their arrests came as a result of a probe being conducted at the department over the provision of food rations to various prison facilities. The fraud suspects were accused of embezzling millions while purporting to supply prisons all over the country with food.
Other suspects include the Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons and other high-ranking officials.
“The suspects are currently undergoing processing at the EACC Integrity Center Police Station. They will be detained at Kilimani Police Station pending arraignment before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on Friday, 19th July 2024, at 9:00 am.
“The arrested suspects include Sarah Kemunto Kerandi(Chief Finance Officer), Moses Juma Sirengo (Principal Accountant), Jack Nyariango Ogao ( Accountant, Ms Maureen Ndungwa (Director of one of the companies involved) and Eric Kipkirui Mutai,( cleaner at the State Department for Correctional Services & Director of companies involved)” EACC stated.
ARREST AND PROSECUTION OF SUSPECTS IN KES.450M THEFT AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT FOR CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
EACC has arrested 5 out of 13 suspects in connection with theft of over Ksh 450 million from the Ministry of Interior, State Department for Correctional Services.Among the… pic.twitter.com/FeiDntmVii
— EACC (@EACCKenya) July 18, 2024
Eight more suspects to surrender
Further, the commission ordered the other eight who had not been arrested to surrender.
“The Commission HEREBY ORDERS the eight (8) suspects who are yet to be arrested to report to EACC, Nairobi Integrity Center Offices or to the nearest EACC Office not later than Friday, 19th July 2024, 8:00 am, without fail,” EACC noted.
The other eight include, Benjamin Njoga(Former Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons), Mageto Omari Mirieri (Assistant Director Supply Chain Management Services), Joseph Kamau Mwangi (Head of Accounts), Humphrey Wende Abok (Accountant), Jack Nyariango Ogao (Accountant), Ochoki Joseph Omaiyo (Prison Warder), Stephen Kisonzo Mulwa, (Director of eight of the companies involved) and Joseph Kariuki Mwangi (Director of one of the companies involved).