The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives have raided Mutomo Highway Cottages, located in Kitui South Sub-County along the Kitui-Kibwezi Highway. The raid is part of an ongoing investigation into the loss of millions of public funds allegedly linked to the property’s owner, Joel Mutambu Kilonzi, a senior official at the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA).
In an exclusive phone interview with Channel 15 News, EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi confirmed that the raid came shortly after a similar operation targeting another KeRRA official in the Mt. Kenya region. Ngumbi revealed that both officials are at the center of EACC’s investigation into the misuse of public funds meant for the construction of multi-million shilling road projects under KeRRA’s management.
According to EACC, the funds used to acquire and develop Mutomo Highway Cottages might have been obtained illegally by Kilonzi. The commission is looking into various allegations, including conflict of interest, kickbacks from contractors, and embezzlement of public resources through fraudulent procurement practices in road construction and maintenance projects.
“The search operations have yielded crucial evidentiary material that will aid investigations toward the intended proceedings for forfeiture of unexplained wealth as well as prosecution recommendations,” Ngumbi told Channel 15 News.
The raid at Mutomo Highway Cottages coincided with a similar exercise carried out by EACC in the Coast region, marking an intensified crackdown on corruption within KeRRA. One of the two officials under investigation is alleged to have illegally received over Ksh 311 million from KeRRA between the 2016/17 and 2022/23 financial years.
Joel Mutambu Kilonzi, in particular, faces accusations of conflict of interest, abuse of office, and embezzlement of public funds amounting to Ksh 108.5 million, allegedly through business dealings with KeRRA via proxy companies.
The case remains under investigation, with the EACC expected to make further recommendations in the coming weeks.
