Re-nominated Former CS Alice Wahome Under Corruption Probe
- Former Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome who was fired but renominated to head the Ministry of Lands is alleged to be under intense scrutiny over a series of alleged corruption scandals from her tenure at the Ministry.
Wahome was renominated to the Cabinet despite being accused of involvement in tenders worth billions of shillings during her time in office.
Reports indicate that agencies like the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and the Asset Recovery Agency have put her under their radars.
These investigations aim to establish the extent of her financial gains, if any, from contractors she allegedly favoured and to recover any monies she may have profited from the alleged deals.
The controversy around Wahome extends beyond the Lands Ministry to her earlier posting at the Water Ministry, where similar corruption allegations were reported.
Sources say her alleged involvement in land scandals, reported to both the police and the EACC, may have directly contributed to these accusation of malpractices.
Wahome’s leadership has been marred by accusations of fostering ethnic divisions and undermining progress towards national unity.
Allegations of massive corruption in the Water Ministry reportedly prompted President William Ruto to reassign her to the Lands Ministry, where she faced claims of misappropriation of billions of shillings until her dismissal during the purported Cabinet dissolution.
Conflicts with senior officials, including a notable dispute with Principal Secretary Nixon Korir regarding ministry operations also complicated her tenure.
Her role in the implementation of the Ardhi Sasa system intended to streamline land transactions is tainted by allegations of favouritism, bribery and corruption. The initiative was plagued by malpractices.
Wahome’s tenure at the Water Ministry was marked by clashes with then PS, Paul Ronoh, over financial management issues and resistance to official transfer requests.
These disputes coupled with ongoing investigations paint a troubling picture of her administrative conduct.
Faced with such allegations, her vetting by Parliament may be a big hurdle for her to overcome before final appointment by President Ruto.
Under Article 10 of the Kenyan Constitution, principles of good governance, integrity, transparency and accountability are paramount.
Wahome was among six CS Ruto re-nominated for appointment following what has been described as dissolution of the Cabinet under pressure from youthful protestors. But the return of the six has opened Ruto to criticism that he was not keen to shed his political friends, even after they have been fingered in corruption deals and the public has shown a lack of faith and confidence in them.
The other former CSs that have made a return, or will after vetting, are;
Aden Barre Duale – Defence
Davis Chirchir – Roads & Transport
Jane Miano – Attorney General
Prof. Kithure Kindiki – Internal Affairs
Soipan Tuya – Environment and
Alice Wahome – Lands
