Former Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has been arrested. The former Tourism minister is set to be arraigned in court over what detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) terms as misappropriation of Sh. 8.5 billion.
The funds involve the construction of the Utalii College at the Coast. Reports indicate that he has been arrested over procurement irregularities for the college.
Balala is set to facing 10 charges in court. It is alleged that the Tourism Fund under his ministry fraudulently paid Sh. 8.5 billion to set up the Coast branch of Kenya Utalii College (which was later renamed Ronald Ngala Utalii College).
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“The arrest follows investigations by the commission into the irregular payment of Sh8.5 billion from the Tourism Fund, of which Sh. 4 billion was paid to Baseline Architects Limited for consultancy services for the proposed Ronald Ngala Utalii College in Vipingo, Kilifi County,” the EACC said in a statement.
Balala was arrested together with Joseph Odero who was a consultant with an engineering firm.
Also set to be charged are Allan Wafula (former chief executive officer, Tourism Fund), Joseph Rotich (former chief executive officer, Tourism Fund), Morris Njue (director, Baseline Architects Limited), Dominic Motanya (managing director, Baseline Architects) and Rebman Malala (director, Ujenzi Consultant).
James Mwangi (director, Amitech Consulting Engineers), Joseph Odero (managing partner, West Consult Engineers), Eden Odhiambo (former director, Strategy and Resources, Tourism Fund), Ruth Sande, Flora Ngina, Joseph Karanja, George Muya, Norah Mukuna and Nancy Siboe.
