The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) has recommended the arrest and prosecution of five former Homa Bay County officials, a senior state officer and a private company over alleged procurement irregularities amounting to KSh348 million.
The ODPP, on Friday, January 16, acknowledged receipt of an enquiry file from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) regarding the aforementioned irregularities involving KSh348,927,840.
Those who will be charged include: Odhiambo Daniel Kaudo – Former County Assembly Clerk; Faith Adhiambo Apuko – Former Acting County Assembly Clerk; Patrick Tunoi Senior Superintendent Quantity Surveyor, State Department of Public Works; James Mumali Oyuka Director, Hartland Enterprises Limited; Mary Pauline Oduor – Principal Nurse, Homa Bay County Referral Hospital and Director, Hartland Enterprises Limited; Roseline Anyango Odhiambo – Former County Executive Committee Member for Lands; and Hartland Enterprises Limited.
According to the ODPP, the EACC investigations revealed that Odhiambo Daniel Kaudo, alongside the five other senior Homa Bay County officials, were allegedly involved in irregular processes during the award of Tender No. HBCA/T/W6/2018-2019 for the proposed construction of the Homa Bay County Assembly office block.
The tender, EACC says, was awarded to a company linked to employees of the County Government, raising concerns of conflict of interest, abuse of office and violations of procurement laws.
Reports indicate that four of the suspects have since been arrested. They include Apuko, Tonui, Oyukah, and Pauline. EACC is urging the remaining two suspects to surrender at Homa Bay Police Station or any of its offices.
The suspects will face multiple charges including abuse of office, wilful failure to comply with procurement laws, conflict of interest, unlawful acquisition of public property and fraudulent acquisition of public property.
“The ODPP reiterates its unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law, promoting public interest, ensuring the proper administration of justice, and preventing the abuse of legal processes in the discharge of its constitutional mandate,” the statement reads.
