Two senior officials from the State Department for Sports are among five suspects arrested by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over the alleged embezzlement of more than KSh 3.8 billion from the department.
Those arrested include Caroline Muthoni Kariuki, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Sports, and David Muasya Musau, an accountant at the department.
The two were apprehended on Wednesday following search operations at their residences.
Also taken into custody were Otis Mutwiri Nturibi, Deputy Accountant General at the State Department for ASALs and Regional Development; Dickson Kibunyi Mahia, Director of Turkenya Tours and Safaris Limited and Afromerch Travel Kenya Limited; and Maureen Wangui Wambugu, Director of Smart Flows Travel Limited.
In a statement, EACC confirmed that the operations were conducted under valid court orders as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged misappropriation of public funds.
“The operation, which was pursuant to court orders, forms part of ongoing investigations at the State Department for Sports regarding the unlawful acquisition of KSh 3,800,563,277 by senior officials during the financial years 2020/2021 and 2025/2026,” the agency said.
According to EACC, preliminary findings suggest the suspects abused their positions of trust to embezzle public funds through collusion and procurement-related fraud.
During the multi-county operation, which covered Nairobi, Nanyuki, Machakos, Kiambu, and Nyeri, detectives recovered KSh 3.58 million in cash, several land documents, motor vehicles, and other materials believed to be critical to the investigation.
“The search yielded valuable evidentiary materials that will significantly support ongoing investigations,” EACC added.
The commission stated that further updates will be provided as investigations continue.
