NAIROBI, Kenya Sep 8 – Former Sports Principal Secretary Amb. Peter Kirimi Kaberia is among six suspects arrested by detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) following the approval of graft charges by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

📻 Breaking It Down

The arrests follow investigations into the irregular procurement and non-delivery of stadium equipment ahead of the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

At the heart of the probe is a contract valued at USD 15.89 million (approx. Sh1.5 billion), which was awarded in 2017 by the State Department for Sports Development (then within the Ministry of Sports, Culture, and the Arts) to M/s Auditel Kenya, a local subsidiary of a Spanish company.

The contract encompassed the supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of security and access control systems, audio-visual networks and communications infrastructure and pitch lighting systems across various national stadia.

📌 What You Need to Know

According to the EACC, an advance payment of USD 3.15 million (approx. Sh330 million) was remitted to M/s Auditel Kenya under a contract executed in violation of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015.

The contractor failed to deliver on its contractual obligations, resulting in a direct loss of Sh330 million in public funds. The funds were subsequently funneled through multiple entities in a layered effort to conceal their origin and move the proceeds back into local accounts.

Following the completion of its investigations, the EACC submitted the inquiry file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which approved formal criminal charges against public officials, company directors, and key entities involved.

The suspects face several charges under economic crimes laws that include conspiracy to commit an economic crime, unlawful acquisition of public property, money laundering and abuse of office.

The suspects in custody are expected to be arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court at Milimani, Nairobi, later today.

Other suspects arrested include Stephen Njoroge Muthuma – Senior Principal Finance Officer, Ministry of Education, John Kiende Ruga – Senior Superintendent Engineer, Sports Kenya, Samuel Mbaa Njoroge – Tax Advisor and Partner, Taxwise Africa Consulting LLP, Enock Ondwari Onditi – Former Principal Accountant, State Department for Sports Development and Anthony Mwangi Kimathi – Former employee of Instalaciones Inabensa, S.A.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya