The recent arrest of Kwale County senior officers over corruption allegations has exposed deep-rooted graft and the misuse of public resources in the devolved unit.
Investigations reveal that several county contractors have been paid millions for substandard or incomplete projects, allegedly in coordination with rogue officers from investigative agencies and national government departments.
DCI and EACC Probing Corruption Deals
According to reliable sources, there has been a tense standoff between Kwale County officials, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). Some implicated officers are reportedly seeking negotiations to avoid arrest and prosecution.
This ongoing probe has also put Governor Fatuma Achani under sharp scrutiny. She faces accusations of favoritism in tender allocations and ignoring key areas in her development agenda.
Governor Achani Faces Impeachment Threat
A faction of the Kwale County Assembly is reportedly preparing an impeachment motion against Governor Achani. Some Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) have expressed frustration with her administration, accusing it of tribalism, nepotism, and budget manipulation, contrary to the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act, 2015.
“Yes, she is doing a good job on roads and water connectivity, but with a lot of tribalism and nepotism. Contractors are a big loss to us,” said a contractor who spoke to CourtNews.co.ke.
Questionable County Projects
Several projects in Matuga, Kinango, Mwaluphamba, Msambweni, and Lunga Lunga remain incomplete or poorly executed despite heavy budget allocations.
The Matuga Lunguma–Mbuguni road and Kiteje road have particularly drawn public outrage, with residents accusing county officials of inflating contracts and faking project signage.
A Kwale MCA told CourtNews.co.ke that the governor allegedly bribed oversight officers to silence reports of stalled projects.
EACC Arrests Five County Officials
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has confirmed the arrest of five Kwale County Government officials, including the Head of Treasury, in connection with the Ksh 44.9 million graft scandal.
The arrested officials include:
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Vincent Chirima Mbito, Head of Treasury
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Mongo Mbito Mongo, County Revenue Officer
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Hassan Shilingi Mbito, Driver at Kwale Water and Sewerage Company
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Mwaiwe Mongo Mbito, County Procurement Officer
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Chindoro Mongo Mbito, Officer at the Ministry of Health
According to EACC, the suspects used family-owned companies, Rome Investments and Chilongola Limited, to fraudulently win ten county contracts for the supply of sanitation materials, food, and office equipment.
“The contracts were fraudulently awarded and paid exaggerated amounts totaling Ksh 44,919,341 and Ksh 4,007,943 respectively,” EACC said in a statement.
Suspects Face Court
After their arrest, the suspects were transferred from Mombasa Central Police Station to the Anti-Corruption Court, where they were expected to enter a plea.
The case continues to attract national attention as Kwale residents demand accountability and transparency from both the county government and the anti-graft agencies.
Key Takeaway
The unfolding Kwale County corruption scandal highlights the urgent need for stronger accountability in county governance. With Governor Achani facing mounting political pressure and a looming impeachment threat, the outcome of this investigation could set a crucial precedent for the fight against corruption in devolved units across Kenya.