Kenya Insights

Tag: Paul Otuoma

  • EACC Probes Otuoma Over Sh1.4 Billion Tenders Awarded to Close Associates

    EACC Probes Otuoma Over Sh1.4 Billion Tenders Awarded to Close Associates

    Busia Governor Paul Otuoma has been drawn into a deepening corruption probe after appearing before the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission over allegations that his administration irregularly awarded tenders worth more than Sh1.4 billion to companies linked to his close associates and family members.

    The governor reported to the EACC Western Regional Offices in Bungoma on Tuesday morning, February 3, 2026, where he recorded a statement with investigators in connection with the ongoing inquiry.

    He arrived shortly after 9.30am and was grilled for several hours as detectives pieced together what they describe as a complex web of proxy companies and suspicious payments spanning multiple financial years.

    At the centre of the investigation are tenders and payments amounting to over Sh1.4 billion allegedly awarded between the 2022/23 and 2024/25 financial years to at least 26 firms believed to be linked to relatives and close associates of senior Busia County officials.

    Investigators say the firms may have been used to siphon public funds through inflated contracts and irregular procurement processes.

    According to the EACC, Governor Otuoma is among eight county officials under scrutiny over allegations of conflict of interest, procurement irregularities and theft of public funds.

    EACC Director of Legal Services and Asset Recovery David Too said the officials are also suspected of amassing wealth that is not commensurate with their known sources of income.

    One line of inquiry focuses on Sh90 million allegedly paid to four private entities said to have direct links to the governor.

    Detectives are seeking to establish whether the payments were lawful and whether the firms met the legal requirements to do business with the county government.

    The commission is also probing the construction of a county yard undertaken during the 2023/24 financial year.

    Investigators allege that 2.4 hectares of public land were irregularly leased to a private contractor for 25 years without a competitive tendering process, raising concerns of abuse of office and loss of public land.

    The governor’s summons follows a series of search operations conducted in August 2025, when EACC officers raided homes and offices of several senior Busia County officials, including three county executive committee members and a chief officer.

    Documents and electronic devices were seized during the raids as part of efforts to trace the flow of funds and identify the true beneficiaries of the contested tenders.

    While confirming the governor’s appearance, the commission was keen to stress that the investigations are still ongoing.

    Mr Too said no conclusions have been reached and that any culpability will only be determined after the probe is complete and, where necessary, files forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

    Governor Otuoma has not publicly commented on the substance of the allegations, but allies have previously dismissed claims of corruption in the county as politically motivated.

    The unfolding probe now places the Busia boss under intense scrutiny, with pressure mounting for accountability as the EACC tightens its grip on county procurement scandals across the country.

  • ODM Ticket Scandal: Makongeni MCA Peter Imwatok Accused of Trading on Raila’s Name for Millions

    ODM Ticket Scandal: Makongeni MCA Peter Imwatok Accused of Trading on Raila’s Name for Millions

    Busia Aspirant Claims Nairobi Minority Leader Demanded Cash for ‘Guaranteed’ Party Nomination

    A growing scandal is threatening to drive a wedge between ODM party leader Raila Odinga and one of his vocal Nairobi allies after allegations emerged of a scheme to “sell” party tickets for the upcoming 2027 elections.

    Makongeni MCA and Nairobi County Assembly Minority Leader Peter Imwatok has been accused of soliciting millions from Busia gubernatorial aspirant Engineer Vincent Sidai, allegedly claiming he could leverage his “close relationship” with Raila Odinga to secure the coveted ODM ticket.

    Multiple sources close to the negotiations revealed to this reporter that Imwatok has been positioning himself as a gatekeeper to ODM nominations, particularly in Busia County where incumbent Governor Paul Otuoma is facing impeachment proceedings over corruption allegations.

    “Imwatok approached Sidai claiming he could guarantee the ODM ticket for 2027,” said a source who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the allegations.

    “He bragged that Raila confides in him about party matters and had already indicated that Otuoma would be denied the ticket due to the corruption scandals.”

    The MCA reportedly told Sidai that for “a few million shillings,” he could “smoothen the path” for his endorsement by arranging exclusive meetings with key ODM officials and ensuring his name would be favorably mentioned to Raila.

    This isn’t the first time Imwatok has allegedly attempted such a scheme.

    Sources indicate he approached another senior government official with political ambitions in Busia County with similar promises, but the official declined his advances.

    What makes the situation particularly explosive is Imwatok’s public habit of dropping Raila’s name in conversations and meetings, often implying he has the party leader’s ear on crucial decisions.

    “He tells everyone he’s on the phone with Baba every day. He claims Raila consults him on party strategy and candidate selection,” said another source familiar with Imwatok’s operating style.

    “He’s been using this perceived closeness to extract favors and influence from aspirants across several counties.”

    Imwatok has been a subject of grapevine over similar issues.

    Party insiders suggest Raila Odinga remains unaware of how his name is being used in these negotiations.

    When contacted for comment, an official at ODM headquarters expressed surprise at the allegations and indicated that candidate selection follows formal party procedures that cannot be influenced by individual members regardless of their position.

    The scandal puts Raila in a difficult position as he prepares for what could be his final political chapter.

    Having built ODM’s reputation on anti-corruption principles, any perception that party tickets are for sale through proxies could damage both his personal legacy and the party’s electoral prospects.

    Engineer Sidai, when reached for comment, was guarded in his response but didn’t deny the meetings with Imwatok. “I have been approached by many people claiming to have influence in ODM. I listen to everyone but make my own decisions,” he said.

    As pressure mounts for clarity on the matter, all eyes are now on Raila Odinga to address whether one of his vocal Nairobi allies has been operating a nominations-for-cash scheme without his knowledge or blessing.

    The silence from the ODM leader’s office has only fueled speculation about potential cracks in the relationship, with party loyalists concerned about the impact such allegations could have on the party’s image ahead of the crucial 2027 general elections.