Tension is brewing among senior officials in Nandi County following a recent raid by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) at the county headquarters in Kapsabet, aimed at investigating a payroll scam. The county is reportedly facing a loss of over Sh3 billion, linked to more than 1,800 workers who were hired illegally.
During the raid, anti-graft officials seized essential documents to assist in the investigation of the alleged embezzlement of public funds. “Upon completion of the investigation, the outcome will inform appropriate action, which may include prosecution of the suspects and recovery of any public funds unlawfully paid to individuals,” the EACC stated.
Sources indicate that the EACC is likely to summon or arrest several senior county officials to record statements regarding the scam, which has paralyzed nearly all county operations for the past month. The commission is probing a scheme involving illegal payments to ghost workers and other payroll irregularities within the Nandi government.
The raid occurred after the county failed to comply with the EACC’s order to submit the necessary documents by September 30. According to the EACC, the operation, conducted under court orders, has yielded valuable evidence to support the ongoing investigation. Commission spokesman Eric Ngumbi confirmed the details of the raid.
Drama unfolded at the county offices as staff fled when the EACC team arrived, raiding several offices, including those of the county secretary, public service board, communications, health, payroll, and human resources. Governor Stephen Sang had raised alarms about the payroll scam last month, prompting the EACC’s actions.
