Kenya’s anti-corruption agencies have moved to the prosecution stage in a Sh348.9 million procurement scandal involving former senior officials of the Homa Bay County Government, marking one of the most significant county-level graft cases to reach court this year.
The case, which centres on the construction of the Homa Bay County Assembly office block, has drawn in the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) after investigations uncovered alleged irregularities in the award and implementation of a major public works tender.
“The alleged procurement irregularities amount to Ksh. 348,927,840.00,” the ODPP said in a statement issued on January 16, 2026.
How the Tender Was Awarded
According to investigators, the scandal stems from Tender No. HBCA/T/W6/2018–2019, floated for the construction of the Homa Bay County Assembly office block.
The EACC and ODPP state that the tender was awarded to Hartland Enterprises Limited, a private company allegedly linked to employees of the Homa Bay County Government, raising concerns of conflict of interest and abuse of office.
Despite the project stalling before completion, investigators say the contractor was paid Sh66.77 million in public funds.
“The tender was reportedly awarded to a company linked to county government employees, raising serious concerns over conflict of interest, abuse of office, and violations of procurement laws,” the ODPP noted.
The total contract value under investigation stands at Sh348.9 million, making it one of the largest county assembly construction tenders scrutinised by anti-graft agencies in recent years.
Who Has Been Charged — and Who Is Still at Large
The ODPP has approved charges against seven individuals and one company. Those listed include Odhiambo Daniel Kaudo, former Clerk of the Homa Bay County Assembly; Faith Adhiambo Apuko, former Acting Clerk; Patrick Tonui, a senior superintendent quantity surveyor at the State Department of Public Works; and James Mumali Oyuka, a director of Hartland Enterprises Limited. The company’s co-director, Mary Pauline Oduor, is also among the accused.
Former Homa Bay County Executive Committee Member for Lands Roseline Anyango Odhiambo is named as a suspect and has been ordered to surrender.
On Friday, EACC detectives arrested four suspects, while issuing surrender orders to Kaudo and Roseline Odhiambo.
“EACC calls on the remaining suspects in the KES 348 million Homa Bay County graft case to surrender at Homa Bay Police Station or any EACC office,” the commission said, warning that failure to comply would lead to court-issued arrest warrants.
What Charges the Suspects Face
The suspects are expected to be arraigned on multiple counts under the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003, including abuse of office, wilful failure to comply with procurement laws, conflict of interest, unlawful acquisition of public property, and fraudulent acquisition of public property.
The ODPP said its decision followed a review of the EACC inquiry file under Article 157 of the Constitution.
“The ODPP reiterates its commitment to upholding the rule of law, promoting public interest, ensuring the proper administration of justice, and preventing the abuse of legal processes,” the prosecution office said.
In addition to the criminal case, investigators confirmed that a civil recovery suit is ongoing to reclaim any public funds found to have been unlawfully paid, as the state moves to tighten accountability in county procurement.
