John Mwangi
Stacks of cash recovered during an EACC raid on the homes of senior Sports Ministry officials. (Photo/Screengrab)
Nairobi, Kenya.
Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Wednesday raided the posh Runda homes of two senior Sports Ministry officials, seizing Ksh 3.58 million in cash alongside vehicles, title deeds, and financial documents in a widening graft probe.
The early morning operation, conducted between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m., targeted the residences of the Principal Secretary for Sports and the Director of Administration—both sent on compulsory leave last month amid investigations into the alleged misappropriation of Ksh 3.8 billion from the Sports, Arts and Social Development Fund.
EACC spokesperson Eric Ngumbi confirmed the recovery of the cash, found hidden in bedroom safes and ceiling compartments. Officers also impounded three high-end vehicles—a Range Rover Vogue, a Mercedes-Benz GLE, and a Toyota Land Cruiser—registered in the officials’ names, along with logbooks for five other cars.
Investigators further carted away bundles of original payment vouchers, bank transfer slips, title deeds, and laptops packed in sealed evidence boxes. Sources at EACC headquarters said forensic auditors have begun analysing the seized digital devices for links to procurement fraud tied to the Ksh 3.8 billion stadium renovation scandal.
No arrests were made during the raids, but the two officials have been summoned to record statements on Thursday. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is said to have opened a parallel inquiry into possible money-laundering offences.
The raids mark the first major physical seizures since the probe began in July, following whistle-blower reports of inflated contracts for renovations at Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums. A September special audit by the Auditor-General flagged Ksh 3.8 billion as “unaccounted for.”
EACC Chairperson Bishop David Oginde reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to pursue recovery of stolen public funds. “Kenyans deserve to see every stolen shilling returned to the public purse,” he told reporters outside the Runda estate.
The accused officials were unreachable for comment, though their lawyers released a short statement saying their clients “will fully cooperate with investigators.”
EACC sources indicated that additional raids are expected this week at offices linked to three private contractors who secured the contested stadium tenders.