Former Homa Bay County Officials Charged Over Sh348 Million Assembly Office Block Scandal

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has charged several former and serving Homa Bay County Government officials alongside a private company over the alleged loss of hundreds of millions of shillings earmarked for the construction of the Homa Bay County Assembly office block.

Prosecutors say the case involves public funds paid for works that were either never undertaken or not carried out as claimed, resulting in massive losses to the county.

Officials and Company Charged

Those charged before the court include:

• Odhiambo Daniel Kaudo, former Clerk of the County Assembly

• Patrick Tonui, State Department for Public Works officer

• Faith Adhiambo Apuko, Acting Clerk of the County Assembly

• Roseline Anyango Odhiambo, CEC Member for Lands and Housing

• James Mumali Oyukah, Public Health Officer

• Mary Pauline Oduor, Principal Nurse

• Hartland Enterprises Limited

How the Alleged Scheme Worked

According to court documents, Kaudo is accused of abuse of office after allegedly unlawfully awarding Hartland Enterprises Limited a construction tender worth Ksh348,927,840 on February 10, 2022.

The prosecution says the tender was not competitively procured, contrary to public procurement laws.

Patrick Tonui is accused of falsely certifying that construction works had been completed despite no work having been carried out on site.

The court heard that Faith Apuko allegedly facilitated payments to the contractor without proper supporting documentation, while Roseline Anyango Odhiambo is accused of authorising the project without a valid land allotment letter.

Public Finance and Conflict of Interest Charges

Kaudo and Apuko also face separate charges for violating public finance management laws by approving payments without a valid performance guarantee from the contractor.

Meanwhile, James Oyukah and Mary Oduor, who are married, were charged with conflict of interest. Prosecutors allege they acquired private interests in the tender through a company in which they are directors.

Together with Hartland Enterprises Limited, they also face charges related to the unlawful acquisition of public property.

Millions Paid for Non-Existent Works

The prosecution told the court that between September 2021 and April 2023, public funds amounting to Ksh66,714,925 were paid out for works that were never carried out.

Accused Deny Charges, Bond Granted

All the accused persons pleaded not guilty before Mildred Obura, the Chief Magistrate in Kisii.

The court granted bond terms as follows:

• Most accused persons were released on bond of Ksh30 million with one surety of a similar amount

• Mary Pauline Oduor was granted a bond of Ksh5 million with two sureties

The matter will be mentioned on February 2, 2026.