There are 11 corruption cases by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission lined up for hearing in court this week.
The hearings, set to take place at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court in Nairobi, address a range of allegations, from fraudulent procurement schemes to illegal land grabs, underscoring the country’s ongoing battle against graft.
Among the most prominent cases is a Sh450 million scandal involving the State Department for Correctional Services.
EACC investigations revealed that officials, alongside proprietors of 18 companies, allegedly defrauded the public of Sh450.1 million by receiving payments for food and rations that were never supplied.
Suspects, including Eric Kipkirui Mutai—a cleaner at the State Department who reportedly owns seven companies that pocketed Sh257.2 million—will face charges alongside senior officials like Chief Finance Officer Sarah Kemunto Kerandi and Principal Accountant Moses Juma Sirengo.
The case, which also involves a prison warder and other company directors, highlights systemic issues in public procurement processes.
Another significant hearing involves a Sh858 million land-grabbing attempt at Langata Road Primary School in Nairobi.
The EACC accuses private developers of illegally allocating the school’s playground, valued at Sh858 million, for commercial purposes.
This case reflects a broader crisis in Nairobi, where a recent county inquiry found that only 6 per cent of schools have formal land titles, and one in ten faces land-related disputes.
The Langata Road case gained attention after a dramatic standoff in January, when students and staff returned from holidays to find their playground walled off by developers.
The wall was later demolished, and the government recognised the land as belonging to the school, but the legal battle continues.
Other cases include a Sh200 million fraudulent purchase of land by the City Council of Nairobi, a Sh15 million embezzlement scheme by the County Assembly Clerk of Homa Bay, and a Sh427 million graft case tied to irregular tender awards in the Migori County road sector.
Additionally, the EACC is pursuing charges against individuals involved in smaller-scale corruption, such as a teacher accused of soliciting bribes from public school teachers and a former National Industrial Training Authority director charged with fraudulent practices.
The Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, where these cases will be heard, has been under pressure to address a backlog of corruption cases, a challenge highlighted in recent Judiciary reports.
Chief Justice Martha Koome has emphasised the court’s critical role in Kenya’s fight against corruption, which she previously called “a national embarrassment”.
As these cases unfold, they highlight the pervasive nature of corruption in Kenya and the EACC’s ongoing efforts to hold perpetrators accountable.
The outcomes of these hearings could set important precedents for how the country addresses graft and protects public resources, including vulnerable school lands, in the future.
