In a landmark ruling, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) secured orders from the High Court to confiscate property valued at Ksh 91,202,892 from former Machakos County Executive Committee (CEC) member, Urbanus Wambua Musyoka. The court determined that Musyoka acquired these assets through corrupt dealings during his tenure in the County Government, from January 2014 to July 2021. This ruling, delivered by Justice P.J Otieno, marks the conclusion of the first of two lawsuits by the EACC aimed at reclaiming Musyoka’s unexplained wealth—assets that, in total, amount to an alleged Ksh 540 million.
The assets targeted in this recovery suit include a residential property situated on land parcel L.R No. Kibauni/Kamuthwa/168, valued at Ksh 80,252,815. Additionally, Musyoka had accumulated Ksh 10,951,077 in cash, spread across his Cooperative Bank account No. 01116005777600 and Equity Bank account No. 0670191770235.
The Court’s Decision and Ongoing Cases
While Justice Otieno’s ruling concluded this particular recovery case, a second suit, amounting to Ksh 450 million in disputed assets, is still being pursued in the High Court. This combined legal action represents the EACC’s intensive crackdown on Musyoka’s alleged unexplained wealth and attempts to recoup misappropriated public funds.
The Unveiling of a Corruption Scheme
Investigations revealed that Musyoka’s wealth, including properties and substantial bank deposits, stemmed from fraudulent contracts awarded to companies owned by his close associates. Key beneficiaries included his wife, Fiona Muthoki Mutisya; his brother, Mbindyo Musyoka; and other individuals linked to companies such as Wafih International Limited, Wisdom Holdings Limited, Kikoto General Merchants, and Wemmar Enterprises. Through these companies, Musyoka reportedly received a staggering Ksh 457,047,214.80 in misappropriated funds.
Adding to the complications, the EACC reported that none of these companies met their tax obligations, leading to a collective tax evasion sum of Ksh 181,722,145 owed to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). Musyoka’s direct control over these companies’ bank accounts, as the sole signatory, underscored his pivotal role in the scheme.
Legal Proceedings and EACC’s Determination
Musyoka, along with his co-accused, was charged with multiple counts of corruption in November 2023. Arraigned in the Machakos Anti-Corruption Court, they face accusations of conflict of interest, unlawful acquisition of public property, willful non-compliance with procurement regulations, and submitting falsified documentation. They have since denied the charges, and their trial is ongoing.
The EACC remains committed to rooting out corruption and recovering ill-gotten gains, standing by its mandate to uphold integrity and accountability within public office. As investigations and trials proceed, the commission has vowed to pursue any unexplained assets or illicit wealth acquired through public mistrust.
