The EACC  has obtained interim orders freezing Sh952 million assets linked to a Kerra Coast regional manager.

In a media brief, the anti-graft agency said it had instituted a forfeiture suit against Eng Benson Muteti Masila, the Coast regional manager at Kenya Rural Roads Authority, and six others.

It said the court, through Justice James Wakiaga, on July 30, 2021 issued interim orders forestalling any dealings in the assets until the interlocutory application is heard and determined.

The court also issued an order of injunction restraining the respondents, their agents, servants, and/or any other persons from selling, transferring, charging, or further charging, leasing, developing, subdividing,  disposing of the properties in question.

The EACC said it is seeking to forfeit unexplained assets worth Sh952,363,824.99 acquired between February 2009 and December 2018.

The assets being sought include Sh597.4 million from Masila and Sh80.7 million from his wife Zipporah Mwongeli Muteti.

Other assets sought are from companies linked to Masila as follows; Mumbe Junior Academy Limited (Sh174.8 million); Mumbe Boys High School Limited (Sh2,06 million), Mumbe Girls High School Limited (Sh17.8 million) and Mumbe Hardware and Suppliers Limited (Sh794 million)

The Anti-graft agency said cumulatively, the unexplained wealth comprises bank and M-Pesa deposits amounting to Sh567.6 million, landed properties valued at Sh347 million, motor vehicles valued at Sh5.3 million, listed shares valued at Sh2.2 million and insurance policies with a maturity value of Sh30.1 million.

EACC said in its application to the court that it received information that Muteti (the first respondent in the case), routinely demanded and received bribes and kickbacks from contractors awarded tenders for the supply of goods, and services in the Coast region.

"Investigations established that the 1st respondent   took undue advantage of his position of trust to confer benefit to himself through awarding several tenders to Skai Kenya Limited (the 7th respondent), a company directly associated with him through his brother," EACC said.