The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has approved fraud charges against a Turkana County Government nurse, a supplier company, and its director over the acquisition and laundering of over Ksh2.76 million from a county tender.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The DPP confirmed the arrest of the nurse and a company director, who are accused of influencing the Turkana County Government to award a contract to their company.

"The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved charges against a Turkana County Government nurse, a supplier company and its director over the alleged acquisition and laundering of proceeds of crime amounting to Ksh. 2.76 million," DPP stated.

According to the public prosecution, the two allegedly accrued the funds between July 2020 and 2021 when their company was awarded the county tender.

📌 What You Need to Know

The approval of the charges followed an earlier arrest of the suspects on Wednesday by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which established that the nurse used the company in which he served as a director to secure contracts and receive payments from the county.

Upon receiving payments, the suspect allegedly withdrew the funds in cash to conceal their source.

In addition to fraud, the nurse will face charges of conflict of interest and money laundering.   Under the Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, public officers are prohibited from conducting business with the government, representing private companies in government dealings, or influencing the award of government tenders.

The Act strictly prohibits a public official or his close relatives from being awarded tenders or contracts for the supply of goods and services to the department or office in which he works.

The law also prohibits officials from engaging in other outside employment that conflicts with their official duties, as well as from receiving gifts or improper favours.   EACC called on all state agencies to strengthen compliancestrengthen compliance with the Act and institute strict measures for the declaration, management, and prevention of conflicts of interest among public officials.   "The Commission calls upon all state organs and public entities to strengthen compliance with the Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, by instituting effective measures for the declaration, management and prevention of conflict of interest among public officers," EACC added.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke