EACC Arrests Six Over Alleged Sh1.5 Billion CHAN Tender Scandal

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested six former sports officials and contractors over an alleged irregular Sh1.5 billion tender linked to preparations for the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The suspects were arrested on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, following investigations into a contract for the supply and installation of security, access-control, communications, audio-visual and pitch-lighting systems at various stadia in Kenya.

According to the EACC, the contract was valued at US$15.89 million, equivalent to approximately Sh1.5 billion, and was awarded in 2017 by the then State Department for Sports Development in the Ministry of Sports, Culture and the Arts to Auditel Kenya, a Spanish company registered in Kenya.

Sh330 Million Advance Payment Under Investigation

The anti-graft agency said investigations established that an advance payment of US$3.15 million, approximately Sh330 million, was made to the company despite allegations that the contract had not been procured in accordance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015.

The company subsequently failed to fulfil its contractual obligations, resulting in what the EACC described as a loss of approximately Sh330 million in public funds.

The commission further alleges that the funds were transferred through several entities in an effort to conceal their source and facilitate their movement back to Kenya.

The EACC said its investigations have now been completed and that the inquiry file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who approved the prosecution of public officials, company directors and other individuals allegedly connected to the matter.

Six Arrested

The six suspects arrested are:

1. Amb. Peter Kirimi Kaberia, former Principal Secretary in the State Department for Sports Development.
2. Stephen Njoroge Muthuma, Senior Principal Finance Officer at the Ministry of Education.
3. John Kiende Ruga, Senior Superintendent Engineer at Sports Kenya.
4. Samuel Mbaa Njoroge, a tax adviser and partner at Taxwise Africa Consulting LLP.
5. Enock Ondwari Onditi, former Principal Accountant at the State Department for Sports Development.
6. Anthony Mwangi Kimathi, a former employee of Instalaciones Inabensa SA.

The suspects are expected to be arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court at Milimani in Nairobi.

Four Others Directed to Report to EACC

The commission has also directed four other individuals to present themselves immediately at the EACC's Integrity Centre or the nearest EACC office.

They are former Sports Department Director of Administration Harun Komen Chebet, Auditel Ingenieria Y Servicios director Marcos Gonzalez Puente, former Football Kenya Federation audit committee member Kitheka Muema, and automobile business consultant Ephraim Muchangi Kinyua.

The EACC has not indicated in the statement whether the four have been arrested, but said they are required to report to the commission as investigations and prosecution proceedings continue.

Suspects Face Multiple Charges

The individuals linked to the investigation face potential charges including conspiracy to commit an economic crime, unlawful acquisition of public property, money laundering and abuse of office.

The allegations centre on the procurement, payment and subsequent handling of funds under the stadium infrastructure contract awarded ahead of the 2018 CHAN tournament.

The EACC alleges that the procurement process breached public procurement requirements and that the advance payment was made despite the irregularities.

The suspects will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations before the court, and the charges remain allegations until proven in a court of law.

EACC Seeks Recovery of Public Funds

In addition to the criminal proceedings, the anti-graft agency said it has instituted civil proceedings to recover and forfeit public funds and assets allegedly acquired through proceeds of crime arising from the matter.

The latest arrests represent another phase in the commission's efforts to pursue individuals suspected of involvement in the alleged loss of public resources.

The case will now move to the courts, where the prosecution will be required to establish its allegations against the suspects in accordance with the law.