Three Kitui ex-county officials were on Friday charged over the fraudulent and illegal awarding of tenders. The suspects who were arrested by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives took no plea.
The three suspects who were arraigned in a Machakos court included June Mawia Munyao, Jeremiah Ngui Kisilu and Rodgers Makau Sande.
Machakos Anti-Corruption court's Chief Magistrate Alfred Kibiru stated that the court lacked jurisdiction of hearing such a case, referring the matter to Kitui Court.
The suspects' lawyer Moses Kimuli pointed out that the case should have been heard in Kitui.
"It will be impunity for the accused to take plea at Machakos, yet there is a competent court in Kitui," said Kimuli, who also added that it was an added cost for his clients to commute from Kitui to Machakos.
A Friday statement by EACC stated that the arrests had been approved by the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji after a series of investigations linked the accused to corruption and abuse of office.
"EACC has been conducting investigations over allegations that government of Kitui County irregularly awarded tenders for the construction of roads and river drifts for Sh 891,039,308," read a press statement sent by EACC.
As per section 35 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, EACC tabled the reports to the chief prosecutor, who then warranted the arrests.
"Upon the reports and the review of the recommendations, the DPP consented to have the suspects immediately charged with several offences including office abuse and fraudulent practice in procurement among others," the statement continued.