- Detectives from the anti-graft agency Thursday arrested former Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala
- The arrest follows allegations that the Tourism Fund fraudulently paid Sh8.5 billion to set up the Coast branch of Kenya Utalii College
- The former minister was arrested alongside three others including Leah Adda Gwiyo and Joseph Odero
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Former Tourism CS Najib Balala Arrested by EACC Detectives, Faces 10 Charges Over Sh 8.5 Billion Utali College, Kilifi Campus Construction
Former Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala, along with Leah Adda Gwiyo (former PS in the Ministry of Tourism) and Joseph Odero of West Consult Engineers, was apprehended by detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Thursday.
The arrest is linked to allegations that the Tourism Fund fraudulently disbursed Sh8.5 billion for the establishment of the Coast branch of Kenya Utalii College, later renamed Ronald Ngala Utalii College, during Balala’s tenure as CS.
EACC spokesperson Eric Ngumbi stated that the accused, including Balala, would be transported to Mombasa and then taken to a Malindi court.
The arrest is part of a broader investigation into the payment of Sh18.5 billion intended for the construction of Kenya Utalii College in Kilifi.
The suspects, facing ten counts of corruption and economic crimes, spent the night at Kilimani police cells before their arraignment. EACC’s probe revealed procurement fraud and misappropriation of public funds amounting to Sh8.5 billion.
The investigation report, submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), led to the approval of recommendations to charge 16 individuals.
The alleged irregularities involve an increase in the cost of establishing the college from Sh1.95 billion to Sh10.4 billion. Balala, the former PS, and others are accused of willful failure to comply with procurement laws, unlawful acquisition of public property, abuse of office, and deceiving principals in violation of the law.
The construction project, awarded in May 2013 for Sh8.9 billion, significantly surpassed the approved cabinet amount of Sh1.948 billion.
Private consultants contracted by the tourism fund for architectural designs and supervision of the main contractor were implicated in the EACC’s findings.
EACC’s investigation disclosed that Rea Vipingo Company Limited donated the land on which the college was supposed to be built.
The arrest of senior officials linked to the tourism ministry highlights EACC’s continued scrutiny of the mismanagement of public funds in the sector. Detectives are actively seeking additional suspects in connection to the case.
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