See How Nyamira County Deputy Clerk Hid in the Ceiling After Spotting EACC Officers
A dramatic operation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has left many Kenyans talking after a senior Nyamira County Assembly official was found hiding in the ceiling of his house while officers attempted to arrest him over alleged procurement fraud.
The incident happened during an early morning raid at the home of Leonard Kevin Nyamasege, the Deputy Clerk and Director of Finance and Accounts at the Nyamira County Assembly.
EACC detectives had arrived to execute an arrest warrant after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) approved charges against him and five other suspects linked to an alleged multi-million-shilling procurement scandal.
According to the EACC, Nyamasege allegedly climbed into the ceiling moments after noticing the officers outside his home.
Detectives searched the house before reportedly using CCTV footage to establish that he was hiding above the ceiling. Officers then called on him to come down carefully to avoid getting injured.
Videos that have since circulated widely on social media show the county official emerging from the ceiling while surrounded by EACC officers. The unusual arrest quickly attracted widespread public attention, with many Kenyans reacting to the dramatic scenes online.
Alleged KSh30 Million Procurement Fraud
The arrest is connected to an ongoing investigation into the construction of an office block for the Nyamira County Assembly. Investigators allege that a contract was irregularly awarded to Jetta Builders Ltd, despite the company not being the lowest evaluated bidder.
The EACC claims the procurement process resulted in an unlawful financial benefit estimated at approximately KSh30.2 million.
As a result, the DPP approved several charges against the suspects, including abuse of office, willful failure to comply with laws relating to the management of public funds, and negligence of official duty.
It is important to note that these remain allegations, and the accused persons are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Court Proceedings
Following his arrest, Nyamasege was taken to the Nyamira Law Courts. However, he did not take a plea after his legal team informed the court that they had obtained interim orders from the High Court in Kisumu temporarily stopping his arrest and prosecution pending the hearing of a constitutional petition.
The EACC, on the other hand, maintained that it had not been served with the court orders at the time the arrest was carried out. The matter was later scheduled for further directions by the court.
Investigation Continues
The case forms part of a wider EACC investigation into procurement activities at the Nyamira County Assembly. Earlier, the Commission also arrested Assembly Clerk Duke Simeon Onyari in connection with the same project, while investigations into the remaining suspects continue.
As the legal process unfolds, the viral video of Nyamasege emerging from the ceiling has become one of the most talked-about anti-corruption incidents in Kenya, drawing mixed reactions from members of the public.
While many viewed the incident as unusual, others stressed the importance of allowing the courts to determine the case based on the available evidence.
The EACC has reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing corruption-related cases and recovering public funds where wrongdoing is established, while the accused officials will have the opportunity to defend themselves before the court.
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