Marsabit,
Wednesday, 24 April, 2024
McCreadie Andias
Former Treasury CS Ukur Yattani has been arrested by EACC detectives over graft related charges while his home in Marsabit raided on Wednesday morning.
Yattani who is currently held in EACC custody and will questioned about a suspected multi-billion shillings graft scheme involving Ksh. 15 billion which he was previously co-accused alongside controller of Budget Margate Nyakango.
Also under investigation by the EACC are Marsabit Governor Mohamud Mohamed Ali and other senior county officials, suspected of corruption.
The Former CS had previously dismissed the allegations as “false and malicious” claims made by the Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakang’o that he coerced her into approving irregular payments amounting to Ksh.15.5 billion in the run-up to the August 9th, 2022 election.
In a statement issued last year , Yatani insisted that the necessary provisions of the law were followed in approving the Ksh.15.5 billion funding that is now a subject of public controversy.
According to Yatani, the Ksh.15.5 billion contentious funding was approved in respect of fuel and maize subsidies as well as allocation to the construction of Lamu-Garissa and Garissa-Isiolo Roads which he says contractors had abandoned work and needed their bills paid.
“The funds were also allocated to the construction of a modern referral hospital facility for Kenya’s Defence Forces. This facility was recently opened by H.E President Dr. William Ruto. If indeed the said Ksh15 billion was stolen, how did the President commission this hospital?” added Yatani to his Defence.