The Chief of Treasury and his four brothers are among the five Kwale County Government officials who have been taken into custody by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
The arrests are related to a massive graft scandal worth Ksh.44.9 million that purports to involve the Kwale County Government misusing public funds.
As the Head of Treasury for Kwale County, Vincent Chirima Mbito is accused of masterminding the corrupt activities, allegedly with his siblings' help.
The Kwale Water and Sewerage Company Limited driver Hassan Shilingi Mbito, the Kwale County Revenue Officer Mongo Mbito Mongo, the Kwale County Procurement Officer Mwaiwe Mongo Mbito, and the Department of Public Health and Professional Standards employee Chindoro Mongo Mbito are among those detained.
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Reportedly, the Mbito family members are thought to have involved multiple branches of the Kwale County Government in embezzlement public funds by using a family-owned business.
"The current charges relate to 10 contracts fraudulently awarded to the companies; Rome Investments and Chilongola Limited; which were paid exaggerated amounts Ksh.44,919,341 and Ksh.4,007,943 respectively. The total amount was distributed to the suspects," said EACC.
According to the anti-graft body, the procurement and delivery of food and rations, general office supplies, institutional appliances, and sanitation materials were fraudulently awarded.
When the suspects were apprehended, they were taken from the Mombasa Central Police Station to the Anti-Corruption Court, where they were charged and made to enter a plea.