The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested the Busia County Public Service Board Secretary.
EACC accused Truphena Eshibukule Omung’ala Akide of deliberately getting in the way of their investigation into possible irregularities within the county government.
“EACC has today arrested Mrs Truphena Eshibukule Omung’ala Akide, Secretary/CEO of the Busia County Public Service Board who purported to obstruct the Commission in the performance of its duties contrary to Section 27(3) as read with Section 27(4) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003,” EACC announced.
ARREST OF THE SECRETARY/ CEO OF BUSIA COUNTY PUBLIC SERVICE BOARD
— EACC (@EACCKenya) November 7, 2023
EACC has today arrested Mrs. Truphena Eshibukule Omung’ala Akide, Secretary/CEO of the Busia County Public Service Board who purported to obstruct the Commission in the performance of its duties contrary to Section… pic.twitter.com/oIeqxn7Fgs
The Commission said the secretary is under investigation for her alleged involvement in activities like hiring ghost workers, misappropriating public funds, and abusing her authority.
“Akide has consistently refused to comply with orders of the Commission to avail evidentiary material being official documents required to facilitate ongoing investigations into allegations of corruption, abuse of office and illegal recruitment in the County Government,” the statement read in part.
The EACC pointed out that she repeatedly didn’t follow orders to hand over crucial official documents that were important for investigating corruption allegations and other illegal activities within the county government.
Akide was arrested at her office and brought to the EACC Bungoma Regional Offices to assist with their investigations.
The EACC pointed out that it is not the first time officials in the Busia County Government have tried to resist corruption investigations.
“This is not the first that officials in Busia County Government have attempted to resist corruption investigations,” EACC affirmed.
Former Busia Governor charged with corruption
In 2018, Sospeter Ojaamong, former Governor of Busia County, found himself in a tough spot facing corruption allegations.
Ojaamong voluntarily surrendered himself at the EACC headquarters, where he was detained for four hours before his court appearance.
The charges, initiated by the former Director of Public Prosecutions, Noordin Haji, stemmed from an investigation into the purported misuse of approximately USD80,000 of public funds.
The funds were allegedly paid to a German company for waste management services provided to the government.
“Upon independent review of the file, I am satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to warrant prosecution,” Haji said in a statement.
