EACC detectives comb through Githinji's house for information

A car is driven off after anti-corruption detectives raided the home of former NYS director Nelson Githinji on December 1, 2015 as they stepped up investigations over Sh790 million fraud. PHOTO | ROBERT NGUGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• Dr Githinji stepped aside as the NYS director on November 16, 2015 to pave way for investigations.

By SAMUEL KARANJA
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Anti-corruption detectives on Tuesday stormed the home of former National Youth Service director Nelson Githinji, seeking information over the loss of Sh791 million.

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission officers arrived at Dr Githinji’s home on Riverside Lane in Nairobi around 9am and spent several hours searching for documents linked to the scandal.

Several vehicles were driven into the compound. Two of them, a white Nissan van and a black Toyota Prado belonged to the detectives.

An armed Administration Police officer at the gate told journalists to move away from the entrance. Three dogs were also at the gate.

None of the detectives spoke to journalists after arriving in cars with tinted windows.

About two hours after their arrival, one of Dr Githinji’s employees told the Nation “he (Dr Githinji) is inside the house with his visitors”.

An anti-corruption official who asked not to be quoted denied claims that the detectives were looking for hidden money.

“Contrary to what is circulating on social media, we are not looking for any money. Who can hide money in their house? We are looking for documents,” said the source.

Asked if they were specific documents the agency was looking for, the source said  “we do not look for any specifics, we look for everything”.

“We are looking for any vital document relating to the scandal,” the source added.

Around 12:30pm, the Nissan and Prado zoomed out of the compound at high speed.

Dr Githinji who stepped aside as the director on November 16, appeared in court two days later together with Devolution Principal Secretary Peter Mangiti.

The two senior officials were among 26 suspects charged over the loss of the millions.

Both were charged with attempting to induce the senior deputy director-general in charge of administration, Mr Adan Harakhe “not to follow up the matter relating to the conspiracy” to steal money from the State. On October 10, Dr Githinji appeared before the anti-corruption agency.