EACC Seizes 121 Stamps in Crackdown on Bomet County Corruption Scandal

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) of Kenya has taken steps in its ongoing investigation into the fraudulent acquisition of public property in Bomet County.

On October 28, 2024, the commission seized 121 official stamps from the home of a road engineer, Victor Cheruiyot, who is believed to be at the center of a Sh1.6 billion theft. Cheruiyot is suspected of using these stamps to create fake documents for non-existent construction works, enabling fraudulent payments in collusion with top county officials. The operation also led to the arrest of several County Executive Committee (CEC) members and chief officers.

The EACC discloses that Cheruiyot had established a full-fledged office in his home for producing these forged documents, which included procurement and payment documents, such as “approved” contracts, bid documents, local purchase orders, unused payment vouchers, procurement requisitions, and requests for payments to various companies. Cheruiyot, who managed to escape the scene, is now a fugitive and is under investigation for conflict of interest, unexplained wealth, and fraudulent acquisition of public property.

He is believed to own several companies, including a logistics firm and two construction companies, which he allegedly used to secure tenders illegally. The EACC’s actions come in the wake of a broader crackdown on corruption within Bomet County. The commission has been investigating allegations of abuse of office, conflict of interest, and theft involving Sh373 million in the procurement of heavy road construction machines and trucks during the 2022-23 financial year.

The suspects, who have been released after providing statements, are accused of orchestrating fraudulent payments through companies owned by themselves, their family members, and proxies. EACC’s spokesperson Eric Ngumbi reiterates the commission’s commitment to holding those involved accountable and recovering embezzled public funds. The investigation is ongoing, and the EACC is working to determine the full extent of the corruption.

This development comes shortly after the arrest of four senior Taita Taveta County officials for the misuse of over 7 million Kenyan shillings, which they had claimed was for commemorating World War 1. The anti-corruption detectives explained how the suspects conspired to forge and falsify documents to account for the misused funds.