The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission(EACC) has arrested seven current and former senior officials of the County Govermment of Nakuru, together with a contractor, following investigations into an alleged conflict of interest and procurement fraud involving county contracts worth KES 120,042,417.
The investigations arose from allegations that Lorna Karamuta Mubichi, an Economist II at the County Government of Nakuru, used companies owned by her husband to conduct business with the County Government while serving at the County.The companies, Denken Building & Construction Limited, Murinchamba Investments Limited and Windcom Solutions Limited, were awarded 29contracts between the 2020/2021 and 2024/2025 Financial Years and received cumulative payments amounting to KES 120,042,417.
Investigations established that the three companies were owned and controlled by Ms. Mubichi’s husband, Kenneth Murithi Ndubi, either solely or jointly with his brother, Brian Mwenda Ndubi.
The Commission further established that the companies used false documents to unlawfully secure the tenders and that part of the proceeds from the contracts was transferred to joint bank accounts held by Ms Mubichi and her husband.
Investigators also traced payments from the contractproceeds to several senior county officials.
The Commission found that Ms Mubich’s private financial interests in the companies owned by her husband were in direct conflict with her official duties as an employee of the County Government of Nakuru, contrary to the principles of integrity and accountability expected of public officers.
Upon conclusion of investigations, the inquiry file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who approved the prosecution of nine suspects on various charges, including conflict of interest, money laundering, acquisition of proceeds of
crime, engaging in corrupt procurement practices, and wilful failure to comply with procurement laws.
Here are the names of those arrested:
1.Lorna Karamuta Mubichi(Economist 2 County Government of Nakuru.
2.Kenneth Murithi Ndubi(Director Denken Building and Construction Limited, Murinchamba Investments Limited and Windcom Solutions Limited
3.Daniel Ndungu Wainaina(Chief Officer Medical Services
4.Kennedy Mungai Barasa(Chief Officer Infrastructure
5.Timothy Kiogora Murithi(Chief Officer Water)
6.Peter Gitau Thabanja(City Manager)
7.Solomon Sirma(County Executive Committee member for Finance Baringo County and former Chief Officer Health Nakuru County.
EACC further directs that
Brian Mwenda Ndubi(Director Windcom Solutions Limited and Josphat Kimemia(Chief Officer Youth Affairs and Sports who are believed to be on the run to immediately report to the nearest EACC office.
The Commission remains committed to safeguarding public resources and ensuring that all persons involved in Corruption and economic crime are held accountable.
The Commission further calls upon all State organs and public entities to strengthen compliance with the Conflict of Interest Act,2025, by instituting effective measures for the declaration, management and prevention of conflicts of interest among public officers.