The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, announced that it had managed to recover Sh47 million, which was fraudulently taken from the Homa Bay County Assembly.
The anti-graft body said that it managed to recover the money which was stolen between 2015 and 2017 in a plan that former Homa Bay County clerk Mr Bob Otieno allegedly hatched.
Mr Otieno allegedly worked alongside his wife Ms Eveline Ogutu, and Homa Bay Equity Bank boss Mr David Obonyo.
High Court Judge Esther Maina said that she was satisfied with the evidence which had been filed by EACC and she ordered that all the five suspects, including the three pay the amount together with interest.
The county clerk, his wife and the local bank manager are said to have received the money without rendering any service to the county assembly.
“Otieno received Sh24 million, his wife received sh1.7 million, Ms Caroline Chepkemoi Sang who was the principal finance officer at the county assembly received Sh3.95 million while the then County Senior Accounts Controller Maurice Odiwor Amek received Sh5 million,” EACC said in a statement.
Dalima Enterprises, which by then was being run by Mr Obonyo, the Equity Bank Manager, is said to have received Sh12 million alongside the co-director of the company, Ms Lilian Achieng.
Justice Maina said that the evidence which was issued by the anti-graft body was compelling and she ordered that the accused persons pay back the money.
The Judge ordered that the accused persons pay back the Sh47 million with interest at the court at the rate of 12 per cent from 2015.
None of the accused has moved to the court of appeal to challenge the orders that Justice Maina issued.
