The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has raised alarm over rising cases of manipulation and blackmail by county assemblies targeting county executives for personal gain.
According to the commission, rogue Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) are increasingly threatening governors and executives with impeachment and censure motions to secure tenders and influence employment opportunities.
Speaking in Kakamega during a corruption prevention forum for County Executive Committee (CEC) members, Western Region EACC Manager Eric Ngumbi warned that counties risk failing in their mandates if the vice is left unchecked.
Ngumbi further disclosed that the commission has observed collusion between senior and junior county officials to siphon public funds. He revealed that proxy companies are being registered and paid without delivering goods or services.
Currently, the anti-graft body is pursuing a case in Busia County, where officials are accused of embezzling KSh1.4 billion through such schemes. Ngumbi also noted a growing trend of county officials voiding payments already approved by the Controller of Budget and generating irregular pending bills.
The latest revelations come barely two months after President William Ruto warned legislators against engaging in corrupt practices, underscoring the persistence of graft at both national and county levels.
