Prime Suspect in Sh2 Billion Graft Investigation Involving Governor Okoth Obado Lands Plum State Job

A graft suspect who is accused of colluding with Governor Okoth Obado to siphon Sh2 billion from Migori County government coffers has landed a state job.

Jared Peter Odoyo Kwaga has been appointed to the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) board by ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru.

Kwaga was appointed to the board alongside six others in a gazette notice dated February 8th and will serve for a three-year term.

The KIMC is a state college that trains students in film, radio and television production, print and broadcast journalism, electronic and studio technology among others.

Kwaga is one of the prime suspects who are being investigated by authorities over the loss of Sh2 billion from the Migori county government.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) believes that Kwaga is one of the cronies that Governor Obado used to siphon the funds from county coffers.

EACC says that Kwaga owns seven companies that allegedly received millions of shillings through fictitious tenders before channeling the money to Obado in a web of transactions.

The anti-graft agency further says that Obado’s daughter Susan is among individuals who received part of the looted funds from Kwaga.

Kwaga’s wife Christine Akinyi, brothers Patroba Ochanda Otieno and Joram Opala Otieno, as well as his mother Penina Auma, are also listed as co-conspirators in the scheme.

Speaking to the Daily Nation, EACC spokesperson Yasin Amaro has faulted Kwaga’s appointment, saying that any individual under such investigations cannot be appointed to public office as per law.

“If someone is under investigation they cannot be appointed to public office until investigations are completed. According to Chapter Six of the Constitution, it is a requirement."

“That’s the reason people first come for clearance from EACC. Once we check out the facts on the ground on Monday, we will review everything and see what action to take,” Amaro says.

Attempts to reach CS Mucheru for comment on Kwaga's appointment were futile as phone calls went unanswered.