Several employees of the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) in at least 10 regions are under the radar of the EACC over loss of shs 400 million.
The money was reportedly allocated for the construction of roads in the regions but was swindled.
Those on the EACC radar are directors in Nairobi, Kiambu , Murang’a, Nyeri, Kajiado, Nakuru, Mandera and Wajir.
“The regional managers and accountants received the money for work to be done. They colluded with a few contractors who raised certificates claiming work was done. The certificates were uploaded online and the finance Director one Dan Manyasi sitting in Nairobi authorized them to be paid. The contractors then shared the cash with the KeRRA employees. It’s a whole chain of theft since even the Director General Philemon Kandie was involved,” said a contractor who requested anonymity.
The contractor said Kandie has now set up the junior employees for crucifixion.
Sources said some the accountants and procurement chiefs in the affected offices are on the run.
“People are not in offices. They have abandoned big cars which were bought from proceeds of crime. Now they prefer to use matatus to evade arrest,” the contractor said.
On Tuesday, EACC officers raided the Kenya Rural Roads Authority office’s at Barabaraa Plaza, JKIA.
Business came to a standstill at KeRRA offices after senior employees fled their offices for fear of being arrested by the sleuths.
An EACC officer who requested anonymity said they were looking into fictitious payments and kickbacks obtained from contractors by the finance bosses led by one Dan Manyasi.
When the officers raided the premises, Manyasi was reportedly away after he had been tipped off.
However, sources said he had been picked up and was at EACC offices recording a statement.
His homes in Nairobi and Kakamega were also raided and crucial documents carted away.
Manyasi’s wars are reportedly being fueled by embattled Director General Philemon Kandie.
Early this year, Kandie was thrown out of office by the Courts but sneaked back.
Some staff threatened to go to court to have all decisions and documents he has signed declared null and void.
They wanted Kandie arrested for violation of court orders.
On 30th June Kandie lost a bid to have an Appeal court grant stay orders to have him serve as the appointed Director-General of KeRRA.
Kandie moved to the court of appeal seeking orders that he be reinstated in office following a High Court decision that quashed a Gazette Notice that appointed him.
Judges H. Omondi, John Mativo and Ngenye Macharia ruled that to allow an individual to earn a salary when the process of his appointment is put into question compromises the sanctity of a transparent recruitment process and would militate against public interest.
The judges said Kandie did not convince them that he would be prejudiced by the process as he is already recruited on a five-year contract.
Despite the Court battles, Kandie is back in office working.