This archive report was first published on 15 June 2020.
June 15, 2020
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru's name has been associated with corruption and incompetence since her involvement in the National Youth Service scandal in 2015.
Despite her scandalous reign in the civil service, Waiguru transitioned into Kenyan politics, where she has been embroiled in a long-running tug of war with Members of County Assembly (MCAs).
Earlier this week, the MCAs impeached Waiguru, and in an attempt to save her skin, she reportedly had a night meeting with ODM leader Raila Odinga, which Raila has vehemently denied as fake news.
However, the focus has now shifted to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which is investigating Waiguru over a Sh50 million tender scandal.
According to EACC head Charles Rasugu, detectives are working round the clock to complete an investigation into allegations of conflict of interest lodged against Waiguru in awarding the tender to Velocity Partners Limited, a company reportedly related to her relatives.
The anti-graft agency is also looking into claims that Waiguru authorized the irregular payment of up to Sh10.6 million travel allowances to some staff just a day after the Kirinyaga County Assembly sent her packing.
Waiguru's Chief of Staff Sellah Bogonko and Chief Finance Officer Patrick Mugo have been interrogated by EACC, and 25 people have been summoned to appear before the investigators for grilling in relation to the Sh10.6 million irregular travel allowance payments.
Thirty-eight other persons who detectives suspect were involved in the payment of Sh50 million to Velocity Partners Limited for undone work are also on the agency's radar.
