Three directors of a construction firm have been arrested for their role in a shady multi-million tender scheme at Matili Technical Training Institute (MTTI) in Bungoma County.
The suspects are accused of working hand in hand with rogue public officials to drain millions from the institution in a brazen act of greed and deception.
With inflated contracts, ghost payments, and a public institution left in financial distress, this case shines a spotlight on the corrupt network of tenderpreneurs preying on taxpayer funds. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is now cracking down hard.
Matili Technical Tenderpreneurs Busted in Bloated Construction Deal
The EACC has blown the lid off a major scandal involving Matili Technical Training Institute and a construction company that allegedly defrauded the institution of public funds through an overpriced tender.
According to the anti-graft body, the initial contract for the construction of a twin workshop complex at MTTI was awarded for Ksh29 million. However, without any justification, the cost was mysteriously inflated to a staggering Ksh59 million—nearly double the original amount.
Investigations revealed that the overpricing was not a mistake. It was a well-orchestrated scheme between the construction company’s directors and unnamed public officials within the institution. The aim was to pocket the difference under the guise of legitimate construction work.
The EACC further established that the government-run institute was overcharged by Ksh22 million for exaggerated and substandard services. This amount was wired to the construction firm without verification of actual work done.
The suspects were apprehended in Bungoma and whisked to EACC offices in Nairobi and Western Region for processing. The EACC has confirmed it will forward its findings to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), recommending criminal charges and the recovery of stolen public funds.
Public Resources Looted While Students Suffer
The fallout from the scam has deeply affected operations at Matili Technical Institute. Apart from the inflated construction bills, the company pursued another dubious claim amounting to Ksh9 million from the institution.
When the institute was unable to pay, the construction firm moved to seize one of MTTI’s key assets—a driving school vehicle worth Ksh5.4 million. The car was controversially auctioned off for only Ksh1.2 million, in what EACC says was a calculated move to force repayment for a fraudulent debt.
This seizure sparked outrage among students and community activists, who accused the authorities of failing to protect public institutions from private profiteers. Many students now face the real possibility of disrupted training and reduced services due to the institution’s financial strain.
The scandal has once again raised public concern about how tenderpreneurs are crippling government institutions while hiding behind fake claims and fraudulent paperwork.
EACC Targets Asset Recovery as DPP Readies Charges
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission says it is leaving no stone unturned. Not only does it plan to prosecute the suspects, but it is also moving to recover every shilling looted from the public.
According to the agency, the actions of the suspects not only amounted to criminal conduct but also robbed Kenyans of essential services meant to uplift youth through technical education.
This case comes hot on the heels of another corruption saga involving a senior staff member at the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company (NAWASCO), who was arrested for forging academic papers to secure a top job. He reportedly earned millions based on fake qualifications, again exposing the extent of rot in public institutions.
In both cases, the EACC is stepping up efforts to restore accountability in public service, especially where procurement and hiring processes are abused for personal gain.
The commission emphasized that it would not only pursue criminal prosecution but also follow up with asset tracing to ensure public money is returned.
