The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is currently investigating nine governors over allegations of corruption, as the commission ramps up efforts to tackle graft across counties nationwide.

EACC chairperson Dr. David Oginde said on Tuesday that governors are leading in the misuse of county funds, but corruption extends to other county officials as well.

“We are pursuing quite a number of Governors at the moment. Nine are under scrutiny at different levels of the cases. It’s not just Governors, it goes down to other county staff.”

Oginde highlighted that some of the counties most affected by corruption are those home to marginalized communities.

“I have been surprised that some of the worst-hit counties are those that are considered marginalized. They have been given privileges to try and bring the county up but the leaders in those counties are syphoning that money and bringing it back to Nairobi to buy apartments and start businesses,” he noted.

The commission’s investigations have uncovered a pattern where top county leaders use junior officers as intermediaries to transfer stolen funds into private accounts.

One common method of embezzlement involves tendering processes, where companies are created to do business with counties but inflate prices to siphon money.

Oginde said the commission faces significant challenges due to political protection of suspects.

“We have had situations where we arrest senior people and even the day they are coming to record statements, our offices are raided by their supporters,” he said, adding that politicizing corruption has long obstructed efforts to fight the vice.