The Anti-corruption Court in Nairobi has granted the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) permission to detain Ksh 62.1 million belonging to former Treasury CS Ukur Yatani’s nephew, retrieved from his house, for six months pending investigation over graft allegations linked to the Marsabit County Government.
Justice Esther Maina issued the directive after the EACC filed an application seeking an order to continue detaining 4,600 pieces of US Dollars in 100 denomination seized from Yatani’s nephew, Ibrae Doko Yatani’s residence on April 24, 2024, following a raid by detectives.
The commission, represented by Lawyer Jackie Kibogy, urged the judge to issue preservation orders for the cash found at Doko’s house by EACC officers since he is being investigated over allegedly receiving Ksh 71.7 million irregularly from the County Government of Marsabit through his company, Al Habib Enterprises.
“EACC is undertaking investigations under Inquiry File No. EACC/PI/INQ/32/2023 into allegations of embezzlement of public funds, procurement irregularities, and irregular award of tenders by the County Government of Marsabit in the financial years 2013 – 2024, and preliminary investigations reveal that during the period of interest, the respondent through his company Al Habib Enterprises irregularly received Ksh 71,790,897 from the County Government of Marsabit,” Kibogy told the court.
The commission informed Justice Maina that the possession of the amount raised reasonable suspicion that the money may constitute proceeds of corruption or unexplained wealth, or Doko is engaged in money laundering, hence the need to investigate the source.
“EACC is apprehensive that the Respondent may demand unconditional release, surrender, access, or possession of the cash and alienate the property to the detriment of the public unless this Honourable Court issues orders authorizing the continued custody of the 4,600 pieces of USD 100 denominations,” EACC investigator Catherine Ngari argued.
