The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has approved fraud charges against a Turkana County Government nurse, a supplier company and its director over the alleged acquisition and laundering of Ksh2.76 million linked to a county tender.
The DPP confirmed the arrest of the nurse and the company director, who are accused of influencing the county government to award a supply contract to their firm.
"The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved charges against a Turkana County Government nurse, a supplier company and its director over the alleged acquisition and laundering of proceeds of crime amounting to Ksh. 2.76 million," the DPP stated.
According to the prosecution, the suspects allegedly obtained the money between July 2020 and 2021 after their company secured a tender from the county government.
The approval of the charges followed the arrest of the suspects by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Wednesday.
Investigations by the anti-graft agency reportedly established that the nurse used a company in which he served as a director to obtain government contracts and receive payments from the county government.
The nurse is further accused of withdrawing the money in cash after receiving the payments in an alleged attempt to conceal the source of the funds.
Besides fraud-related charges, the nurse is expected to face additional counts of conflict of interest and money laundering.
The case comes amid legal provisions aimed at preventing public officers from using their positions to benefit private businesses.
Under the Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, public officers are prohibited from conducting business with the government, representing private companies in dealings with public entities or influencing the awarding of government tenders.
The law also bars public officials and their close relatives from securing tenders or contracts to supply goods and services to the departments or offices where the officials work.
Additionally, the legislation prohibits public officers from engaging in outside employment that conflicts with their official responsibilities or accepting gifts and other improper benefits.
Following the arrests, the EACC urged state agencies and public institutions to strengthen enforcement of the law and establish measures to prevent conflicts of interest among public officials.
"The Commission 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 conflict of interest among public officers," the EACC added.
