Court Freezes Bank Account of Gov't Employee Earning Sh32,000 But Transacted Sh79 Million

The High Court has frozen the bank account of a junior official at the Environment Ministry, which has Sh22.4 million.

Samuel Kariuki Njoroge’s account was frozen for six months pending the conclusion of investigations and institution of recovery proceedings by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

EACC says it commenced a probe against Njoroge after receiving a report regarding allegations of embezzlement of public funds, and abuse of office by a public official.

Court documents show that Njoroge, who had been employed from January 2018 to March 2022, joined the ministry as a finance officer earning a net salary of Sh32,000 and was previously working at Save the Children International, where he was earning a net salary of Sh27,000. 

Preliminary investigations revealed that Njoroge received numerous large sums of money from the Ministry of Environment totaling Sh79.7 million. It was also established that he received imprest in the sum of Sh3,991,300 as purchase of snacks between March 2019 and March 2022.

“Investigations established that between 2nd February 2021 and 5th April 2022, public funds designated as purchase of snacks were irregularly acquired and spent.” EACC says.

The anti-graft agency avers that Njoroge’s salary and the credits in his bank account are inconsistent with his known legitimate sources of income and could have been obtained through corrupt conduct. 

“That it is reasonably suspected that the credit deposits are proceeds of corruption which are public funds which monies is amenable to forfeiture to the State,” EACC adds.

The court prohibited Njoroge or his agents from attempting to withdraw the funds until investigations are complete.