Rongo MP Paul Odalo during a past occasion|Photo Courtesy|
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested Rongo MP, Hon. Paul Odalo Mark, widely known as Paul Abour, for allegedly conflicting a tender and theft of public funds.
According to EACC, the MP was involved in tender irregularities where he awarded tenders worth Kshs. 122 million to companies connected to him between 2008 and 2025. The funds are for Rongo National Government Constituency Development Funds (NG-CDF).
“The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) confirms that today, Thursday, January 23, 2025, the Commission conducted a successful investigative operation targeting the Member of Parliament (MP) for Rongo Constituency Hon. Paul Odalo Mark, who is under investigation for alleged conflict of interest and theft of public funds,” stated the EACC.
“This is in relation to the award of tenders worth Sh122 million by the Rongo National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) to companies associated with him during the Financial Year (FY) 2017/2018 to 2024/2025,” EACC continued.
After conducting investigations, the integrity body arrested the lawmaker for further probe.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Abuor registered a private company together with his close relative Christopher Nelson Abuor, where they are the directors. The company, Azlec Infrastructure Kenya Limited was awarded the tender to construct classrooms and drill boreholes worth Ksh122 million by the Rongo Constituency. Abuor, is the sole signatory to the firm’s bank account.
The MP through his assistant registered another company, Jesbet Holdings Ltd, which also received Ksh19.6 million from Rongo Constituency NG-CDF. The assistant was given the authority to run the second company by accessing its bank accounts.
“Through this company, the personal assistant has been paid Ksh19.6 million by Rongo Constituency NG-CDF. The personal assistant is the sole director and signatory to the company bank account,” EACC established.
While warning public officers to desist from abusing their powers, the EACC is currently holding the MP hostage at Integrity Centre where he is recording a statement.
“Following the operation, the suspect was arrested and brought to EACC Headquarters at Integrity Centre where he is currently recording a statement,” confirmed EACC.
According to reports, the MP prior to his arrest, planned to give a press address outside Parliament building, accompanied by some of his fellow parliamentarians. The message or reason for this brief was, however, not established.
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