A fresh dossier at Nairobi City County Government has exposed a staggering loss of more than Sh70 million, triggering a wide-ranging investigation into a complex network of corruption involving senior county officials and companies suspected to be linked to insiders.
At the center of the probe is Engineer Eston Kimathi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ward Development Program (WDP), who investigators say played a key role in orchestrating the scheme through which public funds were siphoned.
Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) had summoned Kimathi on January 21 at 2 p.m. as part of efforts to unravel the suspicious financial transactions tied to the program.
Investigations indicate that Kimathi worked closely with Cecilia Kiara, an accountant attached to both the Disaster Management and Environment department and the WDP. Kiara, a former employee of Co-operative Bank of Kenya, is described by insiders as a highly influential figure within the county’s financial structure.
Sources within the administration say Kiara wielded significant authority, often receiving direct instructions from the executive team led by County Executive Committee Members. Her overlapping roles across multiple departments have raised red flags among internal auditors and investigators examining the financial irregularities.
The unfolding scandal comes amid broader internal turmoil within the county assembly, where a separate dossier is said to be gaining momentum. Attention has also been drawn to claims involving senior officials’ personal relationships, which insiders say may have further complicated oversight within key departments.
A source within the county’s accounting sector expressed alarm at the handling of public funds, warning that the scale of irregular payments is deeply troubling.
“Most of those workers are operating and paying their own companies by supplying hot air. Investigating agencies should move with speed,” the source said.
Investigators are now scrutinizing several companies believed to be associated with county staff and linked to the suspected fraudulent transactions. The firms reportedly secured lucrative tenders under the Ward Development Program for infrastructure projects across Nairobi’s wards.
Among the companies under investigation are:
- Emari Ventures – linked to the rehabilitation of a social hall along Galili Road in Lower Savannah Ward.
- Daily Raisers Construction – associated with the construction of Makama Marcopolo Road in Njiru Ward.
- Tabic Engineering – contracted for the rehabilitation of Kiarie Kihu Road and Ndlovu Lane in Pangani Ward.
- Dwiss Investment Limited – tasked with constructing access roads including Ngumba Lane and Mama Biko Road in Mabatini Ward.
Financial records show that the firms received substantial payments from county coffers. Dwiss Investment Limited received Sh29,884,350.90, Tabic Engineering Sh22,515,094, while Daily Raisers Construction was paid Sh22,210,077.
Investigators believe the payments were made for projects that remain incomplete or whose actual value does not match the funds disbursed.
Engineer Kimathi is among 18 Nairobi County officials who have recorded statements with the EACC as part of the ongoing probe. Others who have provided statements include Bernard Owiti, Elizabeth Ajwang, Patricia Mururi, Simon Ndonga, Jacinta Wangari, Daniel Masinde, Moses Kuiyaki, Allan Nyaga, Juliana Njoki, Erick Angwenyi, Engineer Samson Kigen, Everlyne Ehenzo, Richard Mogoko, and Engineer Bob Ariemba, among others.
The EACC is now expected to analyze financial records, procurement documents, and payment trails to determine whether those implicated will face charges in what could emerge as one of the most significant corruption investigations within Nairobi’s county administration in recent years.
