Two former West Pokot senior county officials are on Tuesday, September 23, 2024, expected to be arraigned before an Eldoret Anti-Corruption Court facing charges related to Ksh296 million theft.
The two were arrested on Monday by detectives attached to the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission.
They are part of four former senior county officials accused of stealing the millions that were meant to be for West Pokot County Bursary kitty.
Those arrested are former Chief Officer in the Department of Education Mary Ngoriakes and Mathew Arusio who is a former County Director of Bursary.
The suspects were processed at EACC North Rift Regional Offices in Eldoret before they were later detained at Eldoret Central Police Station pending arraignment.
How Ksh296 million West Pokot bursary money was looted
“The Commission commenced investigations upon receipt of a complaint that senior officials in West Pokot County Government hatched and executed a fraudulent scheme leading to embezzlement of Kes212 million from the County Bursary, Education and Infrastructure Fund,” EACC said in a stateme.
“However, the Commission’s investigations established that the embezzled amount was Kes296 million which had been set aside for provision of bursary to support needy students in the County,” it added.
The said officials are said to be been involved in irregular cash withdrawals and prepared fake minutes for meetings that did not take place.
Meanwhile, two other former officials facing the same charges have been asked to present themselves before the EACC.
The Commission HEREBY DIRECTS the following two (2) suspects who are believed to have gone into hiding to immediately report to EACC North Rift Regional Offices in Eldoret located at Imperial Court Building – Wing A, Uganda Road on Tuesday, 24th September, 2024 at 8:00 am, without fail.
Mr. Simon Kodomuk- Former Chief Officer, Education.Mr. Francil Tikol- Former Assistant County Director of Bursary.”
The crimes were committed during the reign of former governor Prof John Lonyangapuo.
