Wamuzi News Ke
Authorities from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) have taken Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok into custody.
His apprehension follows growing demands from various stakeholders, including local lawmakers, who have raised concerns over alleged corruption within the county administration.
According to sources who spoke to wamuzinews.co.ke, EACC officers conducted a raid at the governor’s residence in search of documents linked to suspected fraudulent dealings in the county.
Following his detention, Barchok is expected to record a statement at the EACC’s South Rift Regional Offices in Nakuru.
A coalition of Bomet leaders, headed by Senator Hillary Sigei, has been pushing for legal action against Barchok over allegations of financial mismanagement dating back to November 2024.
The lawmakers pointed to cases of mismanagement in local hospitals, with one incident allegedly leading to the tragic death of a three-year-old child due to medical negligence at Longisa Hospital.
Amid rising corruption claims, county legislators urged the EACC to intervene and take necessary action against both the governor and his administration.
The anti-corruption watchdog has since launched an inquiry into the alleged misuse of Ksh373 million in county funds. The probe focuses on suspected cases of embezzlement, conflicts of interest, and procurement irregularities linked to the purchase of heavy construction machinery and trucks.
As part of their investigation, the EACC has demanded financial and procurement records from the county secretary.
“We kindly request the following original documents: the approved budget for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 financial years; the procurement plan for the same period; procurement requisitions; and approval memos for advertisements,” stated EACC South Rift Regional Manager Ignatius Wekesa in a letter dated July 30.
Investigators discovered the involvement of senior county officials in the suspected fraudulent scheme, prompting the EACC to apprehend 18 individuals linked to the scandal.
In an effort to recover the allegedly misappropriated funds, authorities have detained the governor as investigations continue.
