The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has opened fresh investigations into Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok over allegations of Sh1.2 billion in questionable county expenditures, widely referred to as ghost bills. The inquiry, which follows complaints from local leaders and auditors, seeks to determine whether the county government processed fraudulent payments to non-existent contractors and suppliers.
According to preliminary reports, the disputed bills were allegedly incurred during the last financial year and are believed to have inflated the county’s pending payments list. EACC officers are said to have requested documentation from the county treasury and key department heads to trace the origin of the figures. Sources familiar with the probe revealed that several top county officials could be summoned to record statements as part of the investigation.
The development comes amid growing scrutiny of how devolved governments manage public funds, especially as counties continue to grapple with delayed disbursements from the National Treasury. Transparency advocates have urged the anti-graft agency to act swiftly, warning that unchecked corruption undermines service delivery and erodes public trust in devolution. This is public money meant for healthcare, infrastructure, and education. If proven true, it represents a serious betrayal of taxpayers, said a governance expert based in Nakuru.
Governor Barchok, who is serving his second term, has not publicly commented on the matter, but his office has previously denied any wrongdoing in procurement and payments. The investigation adds to a growing list of corruption-related cases targeting senior county officials across Kenya. If confirmed, the findings could lead to prosecutions and potential recovery of lost funds. The EACC has assured Kenyans that its operations in Bomet are part of a broader national effort to curb misuse of devolved resources as the country moves toward the 2027 General Election.