On March 10, 2025, a significant incident unfolded when Sh6 million was withdrawn from a retention account and subsequently distributed among various companies, raising serious concerns about financial misconduct.
Kericho County is once again in the spotlight for corruption, as Governor Erick Mutai faces serious accusations of facilitating fraudulent payments totaling Sh80 million. The shocking twist in this saga comes from Deputy Governor Fred Kirui, who has stepped forward as a whistleblower, revealing that at least 28 companies received payments for goods and services that were never actually provided.
This scandal has sent ripples of outrage through the tea-producing region, particularly damaging for Mutai, who had just narrowly avoided impeachment in October 2024. Now, only a few months later, he finds himself entangled in new allegations of corruption that threaten to undermine his leadership and the integrity of his administration.
Questionable transactions
According to Kirui’s explosive revelations, the county disbursed millions between October 2024 and April 2025 for questionable procurements including catering services, office supplies, furniture, staff uniforms, computers, and vehicle maintenance.
The transactions appear carefully orchestrated to avoid detection, with most companies receiving amounts just below Sh3 million – a threshold that would trigger additional scrutiny.
The most telling example occurred on March 10, 2025, when Sh6 million was withdrawn from a retention account and distributed among several companies.
Five firms allegedly supplied agricultural products including soya, maize, sunflower, and cotton, each billing amounts suspiciously close to the Sh3 million threshold.
“There is no political malice here.
This is about protecting public funds and upholding transparency,” Kirui insisted, dismissing suggestions that his revelations are motivated by his well-documented clashes with Governor Mutai.
The Sh80 million at the center of this scandal represents more than just numbers on audit reports.
Critics have calculated that this sum could have funded full tuition for 355 students in national schools from Form One to Form Four, or constructed three kilometers of rural road infrastructure – resources desperately needed in a county where development has lagged despite its agricultural wealth.
One company alone was paid Sh3.55 million for general office supplies, while another received Sh1.85 million for tents, chairs, and a public address system.
These amounts raise serious questions about value for money and proper procurement procedures.
Governor under siege
Dr Eric Mutai, governor of Kericho, and his deputy, Eng Fred Kirui In the past.
This latest scandal comes at a particularly vulnerable time for Mutai, who has been battling corruption allegations throughout his tenure. In October 2024, he narrowly survived impeachment proceedings in the Senate, which terminated the process after finding that the minimum threshold of 32 MCAs was not met at the County Assembly level.
The impeachment motion had accused him of gross violation of the constitution, misappropriation of county finances, and abuse of office. While he survived that political storm, the current allegations present a more serious challenge as they come with potential criminal implications and involve anti-corruption agencies.
Mutai’s response to the current crisis has been characteristically measured. “I do not condone corruption. I’ve warned my officers publicly and privately—they will carry their own cross if found guilty,” he stated, while maintaining that he will allow the County Assembly to execute its oversight role.
Investigations continues
The Kericho County Assembly has moved swiftly to address the allegations, forming an ad hoc committee led by Londiani Ward MCA Vincent Korir to investigate the claims.
The committee has been given a tight deadline to conclude investigations and table its report by August 6, 2025.
“Those who will be found culpable will be dealt with, and we will ensure that all the departments are interrogated along with the Office of the Controller of Budget and the contractors who have been named in the petition,” Korir warned.
Deputy Speaker Cheruiyot Bett emphasized that accountability will extend from the highest office to junior officers if wrongdoing is established.
The Assembly’s commitment to fast-tracking the probe reflects the gravity of the allegations and public pressure for swift action.
Kirui has also escalated the matter beyond county level, writing to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, demanding immediate action.
EACC’s track record in Kericho
The involvement of EACC is particularly significant given the commission’s history with Kericho County.
The anti-corruption agency has previously investigated various corruption allegations in the county, including recent raids on county offices in January 2025 over controversial tender awards.
However, residents and elected officials have expressed concern about the commission’s apparent reluctance to take concrete action despite multiple investigations.
This latest case presents EACC with an opportunity to demonstrate its effectiveness in tackling county-level corruption.
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot has thrown his weight behind calls for accountability, urging the County Assembly to fast-track investigations.
“I am calling on the County Assembly to fast-track the investigations into the claim of financial rip-off at the county executive and ensure those found to have been engaged in graft are held to account,” Cheruiyot stated.
