Kenyans were left in shock and disbelief this evening following reports of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission’s recovery of Ksh 46 billion allegedly stolen by former Finance and National Treasury CS, Hon Ukur Yattani. It’s reported that the ex-CS utilized his son’s accounts to evade detection.
According to an exclusive report by Citizen TV, Ukur Yattani allegedly employed his son, Ibrae Doko Yattani, who previously made headlines in 2021 after being apprehended with a significant amount of cash while attempting to flee to Dubai.
In the latest development, detectives from the EACC have uncovered 4,600 USD 100 bills. EACC officials claim that the former CS, known under President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration, cannot account for the significant increase in his wealth during his ten years in the public eye. Yattani previously served as the Governor of Wajir, where tendering issues were prominent.
A court ruling stated, “I am satisfied that there are reasonable grounds laid for the preservation of the funds. An order is hereby issued allowing the applicant to continue to detain 4,600 pieces of US Dollars 100 denomination seized from the respondent’s residence on April 24, 2024. The order shall be for a period of six months as provided in Section 56(3) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (ACECA).”
EACC informed the High Court that the possession of such a large sum raised reasonable suspicion that the money might constitute proceeds of corruption or unexplained wealth.
In September 2021, Kenyatalk reported that Ukur Yattani’s son, Ibrae, was arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with $4 million or Ksh 441 million in cash. Ibrae was detained by immigration detectives while en route to Dubai but was subsequently released after intervention by his influential father.
Yattani vehemently denied the reports, stating, “The social media reports by Alai and Nyakundi that one of my sons was arrested at the airport are false, malicious & utter nonsense.”