By Valentine Omondi
What began as a series of seemingly routine procurement awards has culminated in one of the latest high-profile anti-corruption crackdowns, after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) arrested seven current and former senior Nakuru County officials alongside a contractor over an alleged KSh120 million procurement fraud scheme.
According to the EACC, the alleged irregularities date back to the 2020/21 financial year, when three companies began securing contracts from the Nakuru County Government. Between the 2020/21 and 2024/25 financial years, Denken Building & Construction Limited, Murinchamba Investments Limited, and Windcom Solutions Limited were awarded 29 county contracts worth KSh120,042,417.
The anti-graft agency says the contracts later became the subject of investigations after allegations emerged that Lorna Karamuta Mubichi, an Economist II at the County Government of Nakuru, had a conflict of interest by allowing companies allegedly owned by her husband to conduct business with the county while she remained a public officer.
The EACC says investigations established that the three companies were owned and controlled by Kenneth Muriithi Ndubi, Mubichi’s husband, either solely or jointly with his brother, Brian Mwenda Ndubi. Investigators further allege that false documents were used to unlawfully secure the tenders and that part of the contract proceeds was transferred into joint bank accounts held by Mubichi and her husband. The commission also says it traced payments from the contracts to several senior county officials.
Following the investigations, the inquiry file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who approved the prosecution of nine suspects on charges including conflict of interest, money laundering, acquisition of proceeds of crime, corrupt procurement practices, and wilful failure to comply with procurement laws.
On Thursday, July 30, 2026, the EACC arrested seven current and former senior county officials and one contractor in connection with the case.
Those arrested are Lorna Karamuta Mubichi, Kenneth Muriithi Ndubi, Daniel Ndung’u Wainaina (Chief Officer, Medical Services), Kennedy Mungai Barasa (Chief Officer, Roads and Infrastructure), Timothy Kiogora Murithi (Chief Officer, Water), Peter Gitau Thabanja (Nakuru City Manager), and Solomon Sirma, the Baringo County Executive Committee Member for Finance and former Nakuru Chief Officer for Health.
The commission has also directed Brian Mwenda Ndubi and Josphat Kimemia, Chief Officer for Youth Affairs and Sports, who are believed to have gone into hiding, to report to the EACC’s South Rift Regional Office or the nearest EACC office for processing.
The suspects are expected to be arraigned before the Nakuru Law Courts on July 31, 2026.
The case has once again placed the spotlight on conflict of interest in public procurement, an area that has consistently featured in audit reports and anti-corruption investigations. Public procurement accounts for a significant share of government expenditure, making it particularly vulnerable to abuse where transparency, oversight and accountability are lacking.
In a statement, the EACC said the arrests underscore its commitment to safeguarding public resources and ensuring that those involved in corruption and economic crimes are held accountable. The commission also urged all state organs and public institutions to strengthen compliance with the Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, through effective declaration, management, and prevention of conflicts of interest among public officers.
As the suspects prepare to face court, the case is expected to reignite debate over the effectiveness of Kenya’s procurement oversight systems and whether stronger enforcement is needed to deter public officials from exploiting public office for private gain.
