The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has confiscated 121 company stamps from a Roads Engineer accused of embezzling Ksh.1.2 billion from the Bomet County government.

Engineer Victor Cheruiyot had been under the commission’s scrutiny for allegedly misusing his position to secure multimillion-shilling contracts through companies like Hamron Logistics Ltd, Wincheru Construction Ltd, and Vird Building & Construction Ltd between January 2019 and May 2022.

EACC officers tracked Cheruiyot to his residence in Bomet, but according to the commission, he managed to evade capture and fled the scene.

A search of his home revealed that the engineer had set up a fully equipped office to create fraudulent documents for fictitious construction projects, allegedly used to facilitate payments with high-ranking county officials.

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“Recovered from his residence were numerous procurement and payment documents, including ‘approved’ contracts for various companies, bid documents awaiting approval signatures, local purchase orders, unused payment vouchers, procurement requests for different construction projects, and payment requests to various companies, all believed to be forgeries,” stated the EACC.

Rooted corruption

The commission identified Cheruiyot as a primary suspect in the multi-billion shilling fraud after County Executive Committee (CEC) members were arrested on Thursday, October 24.

The CECs are sought in connection with allegations of unexplained wealth, procurement fraud, and the embezzlement of Ksh.373 million through the fraudulent procurement of 12 heavy road construction machines and trucks during the 2022/2023 financial year.