Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos summoned by EACC.
Elgeyo-Marakwet County Governor Alex Tolgos addresses the press at a past event. FILE PHOTO | NRM
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has on Thursday summoned Elgeyo Marakwet Governor to their offices.
According to the anti-graft agency, Tolgos has been summoned to answer questions over allegations of irregularities in the award of a Sh200 million fuel supply tender.
The Governor confirmed that he had indeed been served by the EACC, however, he claimed not to be aware of the details of the summons.
He also dismissed alarm over the summons saying that the EACC often calls on county bosses to clarify on matters in line with its mandate.
“It is true I’ve been summoned to appear before the EACC but I don’t know exactly for what reason.
“Almost all counties get letters from EACC requesting some information. We’ve been able to deliver all the information they require. We are readily available to avail all the data they require,” the Governor told reporters.
The Governor is said to have awarded various multi-million tenders to companies that he owns.
“The commission has been conducting investigations into allegations of procurement irregularities by the County Government of Elgeyo Marakwet during financial years 2014/2015, 2015/2016, 2016/2017 and 2017/2018.
“We have information alleging you are a director of Kobcom Petroleum Limited which supplied petroleum products to the county government of Elgeyo-Marakwet during the same period,” a letter by EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak read in part.
In June 30, 2018, former Auditor General Edward Ouko flagged transactions he claimed breached the law in Elgeyo-Marakwet County.
The auditor general had issue with, among others, payment of Sh13 million to 1,702 temporary employees without evidence of approval from the Public Service Board.
The audit report also noted that Sh31.8 million was paid to a company in respect to proposed construction of a pavilion at Kamariny Stadium.
However, the Auditor General report revealed that a physical verification in January 2018 revealed the project is incomplete.
