A new investigative file has emerged within the Nairobi City County Government following the discovery of financial losses exceeding Ksh 70 million, prompting authorities to probe a complex network of suspected corruption involving senior county officials and companies thought to maintain connections with insiders.
The funds are reported to have been diverted through arrangements orchestrated by Engineer Eston Kimathi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ward Development Program (WDP).
Engineer Kimathi received a summons from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) scheduled for January 21 at 2 p.m., as investigators intensified their examination of the irregular payments.
Documents obtained by investigators suggest that Mr Kimathi allegedly collaborated with Cecilia Kiara, who serves both as the accountant for Disaster Management and Environment and holds accounting responsibilities within the WDP.
Ms Kiara, a former employee of Co-operative Bank of Kenya, is regarded by sources within the county administration as a highly influential officer within the financial operations of the government.
Reports indicate that Cecilia Kiara exercises substantial influence across multiple departments, reportedly following directives from the executive team led by the Executive Committee Members.
Her extensive involvement in financial processes across various units has prompted auditors and investigators to focus on the apparent irregularities in fund allocations.
The unfolding scandal coincides with ongoing disturbances within the county assembly, where a separate file is reported to be drawing attention after a senior member entered into marriage with a senior accountant attached to the Roads sector.
The accountant is reported to have previously been married to another senior member during the tenure of former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, producing children from that earlier union.
A source within the county financial sector expressed alarm over the manner in which public funds are reportedly managed, indicating that the scale of irregular disbursements warrants urgent action.
Most of the staff are allegedly operating companies that serve primarily to channel funds back to themselves, supplying minimal or no deliverables. Investigative agencies are urged to act with expediency, the source indicated.
Investigators are concentrating on multiple companies believed to maintain affiliations with county personnel and implicated in the disputed transactions. These entities are reported to have been awarded lucrative tenders under the Ward Development Program for various infrastructure projects across Nairobi.
Among the companies under review are:
- Emari Ventures, linked to the rehabilitation of a Social Hall along Galili Road in Lower Savannah Ward.
- Daily Raisers Construction, associated with the construction of Makama Marcopolo Road in Njiru Ward.
- Tabic Engineering, contracted for the rehabilitation of Kiarie Kihu Road and Ndlovu Lane within Pangani Ward.
- Dwiss Investment Limited, responsible for the construction of Groan Access Roads, including Ngumba Lane and Mama Biko Road within Mabatini Ward.
Financial records indicate that these firms received substantial payments from county funds, with Dwiss Investment Limited receiving Ksh 29,884,350.90, Tabic Engineering Ksh 22,515,094, and Daily Raisers Construction Ksh 22,210,077.
Investigators contend that the disbursements may have been processed for projects that remain incomplete or whose completion does not correspond with the amounts released.
Engineer Eston Kimathi is among eighteen Nairobi City County officials who have submitted statements to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission as part of ongoing corruption investigations.
Other officials who have reportedly provided statements include Bernard Owiti, Elizabeth Ajwang, Patricia Mururi, Simon Ndonga, Jacinta Wangari, Daniel Masinde, Moses Kuiyaki, Allan Nyaga, Juliana Njoki, Erick Angwenyi, Engineer Samson Kigen, Everlyne Ehenzo, Richard Mogoko, and Engineer Bob Ariemba, among others.
The EACC is expected to undertake a detailed analysis of financial records, procurement documents, and payment trails as it determines whether the officials involved will face formal charges in what could emerge as one of the most consequential corruption investigations in the Nairobi City County administration in recent years.
