Najib Balala, Kenya’s former Tourism Minister, was apprehended due to his alleged involvement in a corruption scandal worth 8.5 billion Kenyan shillings (around $54 million). Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission carried out the arrest as part of an ongoing investigation into irregular payments linked to the construction of Utalii College in Kilifi County, situated 523 kilometers (325 miles) from Nairobi.
Eric Ngumbi, the commission’s spokesperson, announced the arrests of Najib Balala and Leah Gwiyo, the former principal secretary in the Tourism Ministry. Both individuals are set to face charges in Malindi town following the approval of recommendations by the prosecution.
Balala, a prominent figure in Kenyan politics, held the tourism minister position for 12 years across three different administrations. In court, he denied the allegations of abuse of office related to an irregular payment amounting to $21 million. His appearance in court, alongside former permanent secretary Leah Gwiyo, marked the first arrest of a former minister since President William Ruto’s election.
President Ruto had vowed to combat corruption, a long-standing issue in Kenya. Balala’s tenure as tourism minister spanned three governments, and he stepped down in 2022 as President Uhuru Kenyatta left office.
Both Balala and Gwiyo pleaded not guilty to the charges and were released on a cash bail of $6,400 each. The allegations revolve around the purported use of private consultants in 2010, allegedly against cabinet advice, for the tourism college project in Kilifi county. The consultants are accused of artificially inflating the cost of their services. Additional suspects linked to the case are expected to appear in court on December 28.
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