In a bold move to clamp down on economic crimes in public institutions, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has summoned and questioned auctioneers implicated in the fraudulent disposal of assets belonging to Matili Technical Training Institute in Bungoma County.
At the center of the probe are Brown Tsuma Mukanda and Kennedy Kweyu Shikuku, owners of Eshikhoni Auctioneers, and Samson Itonde, proprietor of Dominion Auctioneers. The three presented themselves to EACC officers following a summons linked to the illegal sale of a Matili driving school vehicle valued at Kshs 5.4 million — shockingly auctioned for a mere Kshs 1.2 million.
“This is a blatant abuse of the auction system to defraud a public institution,” said an EACC detective familiar with the case. “Our investigations show there was no legitimate debt owed. The auction was based on forged claims.”
The auctioneers are being investigated for conspiracy to commit economic crimes, corruption, and the unlawful acquisition of public assets. Their summons came just days after the dramatic arrest of three directors of Ramagon Construction Company Ltd — Abdi Barre Abdi, Hassan Bare Abdi, and Nagenye Mohamud Dahir.
According to EACC, Ramagon directors conspired with public officers to irregularly vary Tender No. MTTI/MOHEST/2/2010-2011 from Kshs 29.3 million to a staggering Kshs 59 million — an overpayment of more than Kshs 22 million for a twin workshop complex at the institution.
“This was not just procurement fraud. It was a coordinated scheme to loot public resources, then cover it up with sham auction processes,” said EACC spokesperson Eric Ngumbi.
In an audacious twist, Ramagon Construction allegedly made a second false claim of Kshs 9 million, triggering another round of asset seizures despite having already been paid in full.
“The entire claim is fictitious. Our investigators have traced the funds and established they were disbursed without corresponding work being done,” added Ngumbi.
The three directors, arrested last Thursday, were released on bond but are required to report back to EACC headquarters on May 29 for further interrogation.
“The Commission will leave no stone unturned in this matter,” EACC Chairperson David Oginde stated. “We are working to recover public funds and ensure all those involved are held accountable — including rogue auctioneers.”
This high-stakes investigation shines a spotlight on deep-rooted corruption in public institutions and sends a clear warning to those exploiting loopholes to plunder state assets
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