Wamuzi News Ke
Two auctioneers are at the center of a high-stakes investigation after allegedly collaborating with a construction firm to loot public assets from a local technical institute.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has launched a sweeping probe into what insiders are calling a “coordinated and fraudulent auction heist” involving the Matili Technical Training Institute (MTTI).
At the heart of the scandal is a driving school vehicle, originally valued at Ksh5.4 million, shockingly sold off for just Ksh1.2 million. The auctioneers—owners of Eshikhoni Auctioneers in Bungoma—are accused of cashing in on the sale, with suspicions that they colluded with other actors to siphon millions from the institute under the guise of fake debt recovery.
According to EACC investigators, the auctioneers weren’t alone. Another auction firm owner is also under scrutiny, accused of executing further asset seizures based on what the commission now labels as “completely fabricated debt claims.”
“This isn’t just an auction gone wrong—it’s a calculated hijack of public property through lies and manipulation,” one investigator told reporters under condition of anonymity.
The alleged conspiracy traces back to a murky 2010 construction contract worth Ksh29 million. Fast forward to 2025, and the original amount has suspiciously ballooned to Ksh59 million—sparking outrage and fierce demands for accountability.
EACC says the construction firm behind the inflated figures had already been paid in full by 2017. Despite this, the company recently claimed an additional Ksh9 million, a figure the commission now believes is a ruse to justify asset seizures.
On Thursday, three senior officials from the same construction firm were arrested amid accusations of falsifying procurement records, swindling public funds, and abusing the judicial process to seize government-owned property. They’ve since been released on bond but are expected to return to EACC headquarters for further grilling on May 29.
With more than 10,000 students enrolled, Matili Technical Training Institute now finds itself in turmoil. Classrooms remain open, but the atmosphere is tense, with staff and learners alike fearing what could come next.
“This is a betrayal of the youth and the future of our county,” said one local education advocate. “The government must intervene immediately before more assets disappear.”
Public fury continues to mount in Bungoma, with residents demanding answers and justice. The EACC promises the investigation is far from over.
“This is only the beginning,” a spokesperson declared. “We will leave no stone unturned in exposing everyone involved in this elaborate economic crime.”
