In today’s court news, EACC wins big as high court cancels the tender for the renovation of Kenyatta Municipal Stadium and construction of spectator sheds in Trans Nzoia County because fraud and procurement irregularities.
Justice Nixon Sifuna has declared the tender null and void, directing that over Sh25 million be refunded to the government by former county officials and the contractor involved.
The case was filed by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which sought to recover Kshs. 25,334,525.50 in public funds allegedly paid fraudulently for the two projects.
Among the defendants was Joseph Muindi Tevulo, the former Head of Supply Chain Management at the county, who allegedly signed the contracts. Also named was Benjamin Ruto Timitim, the County Architect who supervised the works. The suit against him was terminated following his death. The third defendant was Robert Simiyu Wambulwa, trading as KOYI Building Contractors, who received the disputed payments.
“The defendants shall jointly and severally refund the entire sum paid by the County Government of Trans Nzoia. Interest is hereby awarded on the said amount at commercial rates from the date the suit was filed until payment is made in full,” court ruled
The ruling marks a significant win for the EACC in its ongoing efforts to recover misappropriated public funds.