EACC probes Senator Chute over Ksh 2.3B tender fraud

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has confirmed that Marsabit County Senator Mohamed Said Chute is currently at the Commission for statement recording and an interview with investigators.

This follows an EACC summons as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of massive corruption involving the Senator.

According to EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi, Senator Chute is being investigated for conflict of interest and theft of public funds related to tenders worth Ksh 365 million.

“The tenders were allegedly fraudulently awarded to two companies owned by him and his wife, Lidia Gode Yussuf,” reads the EACC statement in part.

It further reveals that the companies involved are Blue Nile East Africa Ltd and Midrock Water Drilling Company Ltd.

Preliminary investigations indicate that part of the funds paid to Senator Chute and his wife’s companies by the County Government were subsequently channelled to the sitting Governor, Mohammud Ali.

In a separate case, Senator Chute is also linked to the embezzlement of public funds through fraudulent tenders worth Ksh 2 billion.

These tenders, awarded to Midrock Water Drilling Company for the construction of Badasa Dam in Marsabit County, were granted by the National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation (NWCPC).

Investigations suggest that the company was not qualified for the tender and has received payments for no services rendered.

“The EACC continues to probe these allegations as part of its mandate to combat corruption and promote transparency in public service,” Ngumbi stated.