EACC Detectives Arrest Nakuru Company CEO Over Embezzlement of Ksh159 Million

Officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have arrested four officials of the Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company (NAWASSCO) following numerous complaints from members of the public and the media.

The four officials are the company’s Managing Director, finance and commercial managers, and the accountant.

The arrest follows a raid by the EACC at the officials’ residences and offices. The officials are accused of abuse of office and the embezzlement of Ksh159 million.

According to EACC, the raid was part of ongoing investigations into a sensational fraud scheme, with the officers being accused of approving irregular payments for services not rendered.

“The raid is part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of abuse of office and embezzlement of Ksh159 million. It is alleged that the officers approved irregular payments for services not rendered, and thereafter received kickbacks,” EACC stated in a report. 

The suspects were taken to the EACC Nakuru Regional office to record their statements regarding the accusations.

This comes barely a day after the Environment and Land Court in Nakuru sentenced the NAWASSCO Managing Director and the Nakuru governor Susan Kihika to a six-month jail term or a Ksh2 million fine over the illegal waste disposal into Lake Nakuru.

In a ruling by Justice Antony Ombwayo, both the NAWASSCO boss and Governor Kihika failed to comply with orders issued on September 26, 2024, halting the disposal of waste into Lake Nakuru.

“It is necessary to uphold the dignity and authority of this court and the rule of law by having them committed to jail for 6 months for failing to comply with the Order,” the ruling read in part.

Baboon Project Kenya a non-governmental organization(NGO) had filed a lawsuit against the company and the county, asking the court to grant the contempt orders.

The petitioners argued that the company continued to discharge toxic chemicals, and industrial waste into the lake posing a threat to the lake’s ecosystem and the health of wildlife, including baboons that inhabit the area.

Pursuant to Section 154 of the Water Act 2016 NAWASCO operates as a county water service provider mandated to serve Nanyuki and its environs including parts of Nyeri and Meru Counties.