Former Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala has been arrested.

Balala was arrested alongside three others on Friday, December 21 evening by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officers.

The three who were arrested alongside Balala include Leah Adda Gwiyo, the former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, as well as Joseph Odero, the Managing partner, West Consult Engineers.

EACC Spokesperson Eric Ngumbi says that the said individuals have been arrested in connection to the irregular payent of KSh8.5 billion meant for the construction of Kenya Utalii College, Coast branch, in Kilifi.

Balala and his co-accused are currently in custody at Integrity Centre Police Station, awaiting their arraignment later in the day.

“Investigations were undertaken by the commission regarding the irregular payment of KSh8.5B by the Tourism Fund out of which KSh4 billion was paid to Baseline Architects Ltd for consultancy services for the proposed Ronald Ngala Utalii College in Vipingo, Kilifi county,” Ngumbi.

Ngumbi adds: “Upon conclusion of the investigations, EACC submitted the investigation report to the DPP, the DPP concurred with the recommendations to apprehend and charge 16 persons.”

The suspects are facing ten counts of corruption and economic crimes, including procurement fraud and irregular payment of the KSh8.5 billion of public funds.

More to follow…