Ethics and Anti-Corruption Authority (EACC) officers in the Upper Coast Region early Wednesday dramatically arrested three senior County Government of Kilifi officials on corruption allegations.
The officers pounced on County Secretary Arnold Mkare and two officials from the health department, Aden Ali and Bilal Madzoya, at their offices and took them to the EACC offices in Malindi for questioning.
The operation was led by Upper Coast Regional EACC Manager Ignatius Wekesa accompanied by his Lower Coast Counterpart Mr. Mutembei Nyagah.
The three officials are alleged to have refused to avail crucial documents related to the construction of a multi-million health complex at the Kilifi County Referral Hospital, phase one which was officially commissioned last week to cater for Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19 patients.
Mr. Wekesa said EACC detectives had earlier this week visited the county government offices to investigate the use of funds meant for project, but the officials adamantly refused to cooperate.
“They refused to cooperate by refusing to give us documents related to the expenditure incurred in the construction of the Kilifi Covid-19 medical complex,” he told reporters in Kilifi Town.
Phase one of the project cost about Sh493 million and was officially commissioned by Governor Amason Jeffa Kingi last week. The second phase, which is estimated to cost Sh398 million, is expected to be ready by September this year.
Sources privy to the matter said the officials, in addition to refusing to avail the crucial documents, also insulted the EACC officers, leading to the operation to arrest them.
By Emmanuel Masha
