The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recommended the prosecution of five former Kitui County officials, including Mr. Syalo Ngilu, son of former Governor Charity Ngilu, over alleged procurement irregularities at the Kitui County Textile Company (Kicotec).
Central to the scandal is Trendy Links Limited, a company reportedly associated with Mr. Syalo, which secured a Sh66.4 million contract for the supply and installation of garment manufacturing machinery, as well as training services for operators.
Former Kitui Gov Charity Ngilu addressing the media. Photo: Citizen Digital
According to reports by Nation Africa, the contract was awarded in May 2018 through a questionable tender process, where Trendy Links Limited was the sole bidder.
Investigations by the EACC revealed that payments totaling Sh41.57 million were made by the county government to the company between July 2018 and July 2019.
Alarmingly, there was no proper documentation for these transactions, as the payment vouchers were reported to have been destroyed in a fire in July 2019, raising serious concerns about financial transparency and accountability.
The Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee, chaired by Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, has since termed Kicotec a “crime scene” due to the financial irregularities uncovered.
Former Governor Charity Ngilu weeps as she testifies in friend’s murder case. Photo: The Standard
The committee is now demanding certified bank statements, procurement plans, and budget reports for Kicotec between 2018 and 2021 to uncover the full extent of the corruption.
Witness testimonies have also revealed alarming practices surrounding Kicotec’s operations.
For instance, it has been alleged that the company operated without a proper asset register despite Sh168.3 million being spent to purchase assets for the factory before it became an autonomous entity in 2019.
Former officials have raised concerns that Kicotec was used as a vehicle for siphoning funds from the county government.
Mr. Syalo Ngilu and four other county officials now face possible prosecution for their alleged roles in this scandal, as scrutiny intensifies over the former Governor Ngilu’s administration.
As investigations continue, the EACC aims to hold accountable those responsible for the mismanagement of public funds and restore public trust in governance.
