A fresh corruption dossier circulating within the corridors of the Nairobi City County Government has exposed what investigators believe could be a massive financial scandal involving more than Sh70 million of public funds.
The documents point to a complex network of alleged financial manipulation, insider dealings, and questionable payments connected to projects under the Ward Development Program.
At the center of the unfolding scandal is Engineer Eston Kimathi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ward Development Program, who is now facing scrutiny from investigators probing how large sums of county money were allegedly siphoned through a network of companies suspected to be linked to insiders within the county administration.
The matter has already drawn the attention of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, which summoned Kimathi earlier this year as detectives intensified investigations into the suspicious transactions.
The Man at the Center of the Storm
Engineer Eston Kimathi, who oversees the Ward Development Program, has emerged as a key figure in the alleged financial irregularities.
Investigators believe he may have played a central role in orchestrating payments linked to several projects across Nairobi’s wards.
The Ward Development Program is designed to fund small scale infrastructure projects in local communities, including roads, social halls, and public facilities.
However, the new dossier suggests the program may have been turned into a vehicle for questionable payments benefiting a network of companies tied to individuals within the county administration.
Kimathi’s appearance before anti-corruption investigators marked a significant escalation in the probe.
Authorities are now examining whether procurement procedures were manipulated to channel county funds into selected firms.
The Accountant With Powerful Influence
Another name repeatedly appearing in the investigation is Cecilia Kiara, a senior accountant within the county administration.
Kiara holds financial oversight roles in both the Disaster Management and Environment department and the Ward Development Program.
This dual role has raised serious concerns among investigators and internal auditors.
Sources inside the county describe Kiara as one of the most influential financial officers within the administration.
Before joining the county government, she reportedly worked at Co-operative Bank of Kenya.
County insiders claim she holds considerable sway within the financial management structure and often acts on instructions from senior executives within the administration.
Her position across multiple departments has drawn scrutiny from investigators seeking to determine whether the overlapping authority created opportunities for financial manipulation.
Companies Under Investigation
Investigators are now focusing on several companies that allegedly received large payments through the Ward Development Program.
Authorities believe some of these firms may have connections to individuals working inside the county government.
Among the companies under scrutiny are:
Emari Ventures
linked to the rehabilitation of a social hall along Galili Road in Lower Savannah Ward.
Daily Raisers Construction
connected to the construction of Makama Marcopolo Road in Njiru Ward.
Tabic Engineering
contracted to rehabilitate Kiarie Kihu Road and Ndlovu Lane in Pangani Ward.
Dwiss Investment Limited
awarded contracts for access road construction including Ngumba Lane and Mama Biko Road in Mabatini Ward.
Financial records show that millions of shillings were paid out to these firms from county accounts.
Dwiss Investment Limited reportedly received more than Sh29.8 million.
Tabic Engineering received approximately Sh22.5 million.
Daily Raisers Construction was paid about Sh22.2 million.
Investigators are now trying to determine whether the projects were actually completed and whether the payments reflect the true value of the work done.
Projects Under Question
One of the most troubling aspects of the investigation is the possibility that some of the projects linked to the payments either remain incomplete or do not match the amounts disbursed.
Investigators suspect that some contracts may have been inflated or processed for projects that existed only on paper.
Internal sources within the county government say the scale of the alleged irregular payments has raised alarm among financial officers and auditors.
A senior source within the accounting department expressed concern about the pattern of transactions.
The source warned that several individuals may have been using companies connected to them to receive payments from county funds.
According to the source, some contractors were allegedly “supplying hot air” while still receiving full payment for projects.
Political and Personal Drama Inside the County
The financial scandal has also coincided with growing tension inside the Nairobi County Assembly.
Another dossier circulating within the assembly reportedly touches on relationships between senior county officials and finance officers.
Sources claim that a senior political figure recently married a senior accountant attached to the county’s Roads sector.
The woman is said to have previously been married to another senior official during the administration of former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero.
While the personal relationships are not directly linked to the financial investigation, insiders say they reflect the complicated web of influence that exists within the county administration.
Critics argue that such relationships can sometimes blur the lines between professional oversight and personal alliances within government institutions.
EACC Expands the Investigation
The corruption probe is now widening.
Engineer Kimathi is reportedly among at least 18 county officials who have recorded statements with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
Other officials who have been questioned include Bernard Owiti, Elizabeth Ajwang, Patricia Mururi, Simon Ndonga, Jacinta Wangari, Daniel Masinde, Moses Kuiyaki, Allan Nyaga, Juliana Njoki, Erick Angwenyi, Engineer Samson Kigen, Everlyne Ehenzo, Richard Mogoko, and Engineer Bob Ariemba.
Investigators are now combing through procurement files, payment records, and contract documentation linked to the Ward Development Program.
Financial analysts are also tracing payment trails to determine how funds moved between county accounts and contractor accounts.
A Potentially Major Corruption Case
If the allegations are confirmed, the Sh70 million scandal could become one of the most significant corruption investigations involving Nairobi County in recent years.
Anti-corruption investigators are expected to determine whether the transactions amount to procurement fraud, abuse of office, or misappropriation of public funds.
Legal experts say the case could lead to criminal charges if evidence shows that county officials deliberately manipulated procurement systems to benefit companies connected to insiders.
For Nairobi residents, the scandal raises deeper questions about how public funds intended for local development projects are being used.
Projects meant to improve roads, community halls, and neighborhood infrastructure may instead have become vehicles for financial exploitation.
As investigators dig deeper into the Ward Development Program, the unfolding dossier could expose a much larger network of corruption within the county government.
For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Engineer Eston Kimathi and the financial officers whose decisions may determine whether the Sh70 million trail leads to one of Nairobi’s biggest county corruption scandals.
