Agriculture PS Richard Lesiyampe becomes the latest 'big fish' to fall into the trap of anti-graft detectives following his arrest on Thursday.
Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji had recommended arrest and prosecution of Agriculture PS Richard Lesiyampe over the Maize scandal.
The investigations done by the ministry had established that over Sh1.9 billion were irregularly paid to few farmers with powerful connection to authorities.
But Haji, who has dominated headlines for taking graft war on the doorsteps of 'untouchables', says the PS made payments to NCPB from unauthorized budget.
"Upon investigations, it was established that NCPB spent Sh11,365,879,918 thereby exceeding the Sh6 billion budgeted for," Mr Haji said
"The STROB had budgeted to purchase 2 million bags of maize for financial year 2017/18 at Sh6 billion. This expenditure was not budgeted for contrary to the law."
According to the DPP, the payments failed to adhere to the legal provisions.
The PS had earlier sacked managers attached to various stores across the country when it emerged that they colluded with few farmers to execute the payments.
On Tuesday, the new DPP shocked the entire nation when he supervised the arrest of Supreme Court Judge Philomena Mwilu.