Corruption in Counties Not Ending Soon

As the country struggles with an ailing economy, deep rooted corruption is weakening its tentacles of prosperity in the counties. Like it or not the purpose of establishing counties was to ensure equitable resource distribution and bring government services near common mwananchi. Unfortunately, as some argue,counties are now havens of corruption enriching few.

For instance In Nakuru county Eight suspects linked to the fraudulent tendering of Kiratina have been charged before Nakuru Anti-corruption court.

The eight who include former and current county employees are alleged to have engaged in irregularities of Sh7.9 million in the construction of a shade in Menengai East.

Edith Kimani, Jackson Maingi, Nickson Kibet, Anne Njeri, Florence Karanja appeared alongside directors of Levki Contractors Limited; Edith Maina, Jane Mwaura and John Murage.  

They faced separate counts of corruption related offenses before Chief Magistrate Bildad Ochieng where they all denied their involvement and sought to be released on bond.  

Edith Wanjiru Kimani was charged with failing to comply with guidelines relating to procurement on February, 24, 2017.

Nickson Kibet, Anne Njeri, and Florence Karanja were charged that on diverse dates between February, 24 and March 9 2017 being members of the Tender Processing Committee unlawfully recommended the award of tender to Levki Contractors.

Levki directors and agents Edith Wangari, Jane Njoki, and John Murage were charged with fraudulently acquiring Sh3,250,885 despite not being qualified for the award in the construction of the shades.

Murage faced another count of unlawfully preparing a form of agreement in the tender in the name of Edith Maina a director of Levki without her authorization.

The magistrate in his ruling released the accused persons on varied bond terms.

Edith Kimani, Jackon Maingi, Edith Wangari, Jane Njoki and John Murage were released on a Sh600,000 bond, a surety of the same amount or pay an alternative cash bail of Sh300,000.

Nickson Kibet, Anne Njeri and Florence Wanjiku were released on a Sh200,000 bond, a surety of similar amount or an alternative cash bail of Sh100,000.

“The matter will be mentioned on February 14 for pretrial directions,” ruled Ochieng.

Nakuru  county is a representation of what is going on in different counties. During Uhuru's reign, president Uhuru said that the country lost  ksh 2B everyday through corruption. One is left to wonder whether we devolved corruption to counties and what is the future of counties in the face of unending  corruption.To this effect, are counties serving the purpose with which they were created?