Multi-County Raids Lead to Arrests

NAIROBI – Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, arrested five individuals, including two senior officials from the State Department for Sports, in connection with an ongoing investigation into the alleged embezzlement of over Ksh 3.8 billion. The morning raids, conducted under court-issued warrants, spanned five counties: Nairobi, Kiambu, Nyeri, Machakos, and Nanyuki.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the EACC confirmed the operation is part of an inquiry into the unlawful acquisition of Ksh 3,800,563,277 by senior officials. The anti-graft agency alleges the suspects abused their positions of authority to misappropriate public funds through collusion and fraudulent procurement practices. The investigation focuses on activities during the Financial Years 2020/2021 and 2025/2026.

Key Suspects and Allegations

The individuals taken into custody for questioning at the EACC's Integrity Centre headquarters include Caroline Muthoni Kariuki, the Senior Assistant Commissioner of Sports, and David Muasya Musau, an accountant at the State Department for Sports. Also arrested was Otis Mutwiri Nturibi, a Deputy Accountant General attached to the Ministry for ASALs and Regional Development.

The probe extends into the private sector, with the arrests of two directors of travel companies. Dickson Kibunyi Mahia, a director of both Turkenya Tours and Safaris Limited and Afromerch Travel Kenya Limited, and Maureen Wangui Wambugu, a director of Smart Flows Travel Limited, were also apprehended. Investigators allege these firms were used as conduits for siphoning funds through irregular tenders, inflated invoices, and payments for services that were never rendered.

Evidence Seized in Operation

During the extensive search of residences and offices, EACC detectives reported recovering significant evidentiary material. According to the commission's statement, this included Ksh 3.58 million in cash, documents for landed properties, and several motor vehicles. The EACC stated that these materials will be crucial in supporting the ongoing investigation into the complex financial fraud scheme.

The suspects were escorted to the EACC headquarters in Nairobi for interrogation and to record statements. The commission has indicated that once investigations are complete, it will forward the file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions with appropriate recommendations, which could include prosecution and the recovery of any unexplained wealth.

Implications for Kenya's Sports Sector

This high-profile case casts a harsh spotlight on the management of public finances within Kenya's sports sector, a domain frequently marred by allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement. Past scandals, including those surrounding the 2016 Rio Olympics and preparations for the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN), have eroded public trust and hampered the development of sports in the country. The current investigation into the Ksh 3.8 billion scandal represents one of the most significant anti-corruption operations in the sector in recent years and will be closely watched by the Kenyan public and international sports bodies. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for governance, accountability, and the future of sports funding in Kenya.