This archive report was first published on 2 July 2020.
Unraveling the Complex Web of Corruption in Kirinyaga County ¶
Published on July 2, 2020, the Senate hearings into the impeachment of Governor Anne Waiguru revealed a shocking tale of corruption in Kirinyaga County's procurement department. A tightly knit network of officials had captured the county's procurement activities, exerting control over every stage of the process.
The corruption ring, which had been operating for years, had its members appointed to key positions, including the chairmanship of tender evaluation committees. This allowed them to manipulate the tender process, awarding contracts to companies with little or no experience.
One of the key players in the corruption ring was Pauline Kamau, the director of administration, who was accused of being close to Governor Waiguru. Evidence presented during the hearings showed that Kamau had been appointed to her position despite lacking the necessary qualifications.
The Senate has directed an investigation into the corruption in Kirinyaga County's procurement department, which will require skilled investigators to follow the money trail and uncover the extent of the corruption.
Investigating corruption in a well-coordinated network of public officials is a challenging task, but involving entities such as the Financial Reporting Centre and the Asset Recovery Agency may prove useful.
