Why EACC Wants Gladys Shollei, 46 Others Prosecuted For Ksh2.1B Graft
The commission is reported to have handed over the files to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) who is expected to issue further directions.
Marvin Chege 
The Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC) is recommending the prosecution of 47 public officials accused of engaging in graft amounting to Ksh2.1 billion, according to its latest corruption report.
The commission is reported to have handed over the files to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) who is expected to issue further directions.
The list includes high-profile officials such as Gladys Boss Shollei, the current deputy speaker of the National Assembly who is facing charges of alleged graft during her tenure as the Judiciary Chief Registrar. Shollei is being accused of the irregular purchase of the Chief Justice’s residence that cost Ksh310 million in 2013. It remains unoccupied to date.
The EACC has recommended that she, alongside her then-deputy, be charged with abuse of office and lack of project planning.
One of the former governors on EACC's radar is former Wajir Governor Mohamed Mohamoud, who is facing charges regarding tender irregularities amounting to Ksh1.2 billion.
His wife, daughter, and senior aide have also been implicated in the corruption scandal as well as 12 companies connected to him. Payments to the companies were supposedly made without supporting documents and thus the 12 directors are all facing a court case.
Alex Tolgos, the Elgeyo Marakwet ex-governor, also faces similar charges of tender irregularities amounting to Ksh1.8 million as well as conflict of interest and unlawful acquisition of property. He is accused of carrying out this deal in the procurement of petroleum products from a company associated with him and a close associate.
The EACC also urged the parliament to fast-track a conflict of interest bill to ensure similar cases are handled efficiently.
Meanwhile, the anti-corruption body cautioned public officials against accepting gifts worth more than Ksh20,000 without declaring and surrendering them, as required by the EACC. This warning comes as the festive season, a period known for exchanging gifts, raises concerns over potential violations.
The law mandates public servants to declare and surrender gifts exceeding the set threshold to their respective organisations.
EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi raised concerns that many government workers remain unfamiliar with the guidelines. "The regulations on gifts are still largely unknown among public officials," he told senators during a recent parliamentary session.
Under the Public Officer Ethics Act, non-monetary gifts are permissible but must be declared, while gifts valued above Ksh20,000 must be surrendered.
Section 14 of the 2012 Leadership and Integrity Act reinforces this obligation, requiring civil servants to report any gifts received. It also stipulates that public entities maintain a detailed register of gifts received or given, treating gifts presented to state officers during official events as state property.
EACC Chief Executive Officer (CEO)-designate Abdi Mohamud emphasised the need for compliance, explaining that public officers have 48 hours to declare and surrender gifts to their respective organisations. "If indeed cows or any other gifts have been donated to a public officer, they should be handed over to the state or the institutions employing them," he urged.
EACC CEO-designate Abdi Mohamud who said public officers have 48 hours to declare and surrender gifts to their respective organisations. /EACC
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