Drama as Nyamira Deputy Clerk Hides in Ceiling as EACC Arrests Him

EACC officers caught Nyamira Deputy Clerk Leonard Kevin Nyamasege hiding in his ceiling during a dramatic raid. Drama unfolded as Nyamira Deputy Clerk Leonard Kevin Nyamasege hid in the ceiling while EACC officers arrested him. The arrest targeted procurement irregularities in a county assembly office block tender that funnelled unlawful gains exceeding 30 million Ksh to a favoured contractor. Investigators moved fast on June 30, 2026, after months of digging into suspicious awards that drained public funds.

The scene unfolded with tension thick enough to cut. Officers arrived at the official’s residence in Nyamira. They searched room after room. Then someone spotted movement above. Nyamasege had climbed up there to dodge them. Dust shook loose from the panels as they coaxed him down. He emerged dusty and defeated.

What led to the dramatic ceiling hideout in Nyamira?

EACC detectives pursued leads on a tender for constructing an office block at the county assembly. They arrested Nyamasege over alleged irregularities that gave a contractor called Jetta Builders Ltd an unfair advantage worth more than 30 million Ksh.

The probe started earlier this year. Officials examined documents and payments tied to the project. They found signs of rushed approvals and bypassed rules. Nyamasege served as both deputy clerk and director of finance and accounts. His dual role placed him at the heart of decisions that now face heavy scrutiny.

How much public money went missing in the Nyamira tender scandal?

Authorities point to over 30 million Ksh in unlawful benefits that flowed to the contractor through the irregular award. The director of public prosecutions reviewed the file and approved charges against Nyamasege plus five other people. Those charges include abuse of office, wilful failure to follow public finance laws, and negligence of official duty.

One source close to the investigation described the moment officers pulled Nyamasege from his hiding spot. “He thought the ceiling offered safety, but the team stayed thorough until they located him.” Neighbours later gathered outside whispering about the unusual arrest. Some shook their heads while others pulled out phones to record the departure.

This case connects to an earlier move against the county assembly clerk Duke Simeon Onyari. EACC detained him in relation to the same tender issues. Efforts continue to trace the remaining suspects. The agency emphasised that no one is exempt from accountability when public resources are involved.

Nyamasege appeared before Principal Magistrate Christabel Agutu at Nyamira Law Courts shortly after the arrest. His lawyer requested a delay on the plea. The advocate cited temporary orders from the High Court in Kisumu that stay the proceedings for now. The court scheduled a mention for July 28 to give directions. Tension filled the courtroom as parties waited for the next steps.

Residents in Nyamira expressed mixed reactions. One local trader spoke openly near the market. “We pay taxes every day, yet projects drag while questions swirl about who really gains.” Another added detail is visible construction delays at the assembly site. Foundations sit incomplete months after the supposed start date.

The tender process supposedly followed open bidding, yet investigators uncovered favouritism. Documents show the award went through despite red flags on pricing and qualifications. Finance oversight under Nyamasege’s watch failed to catch or correct the gaps according to the charges.

EACC teams have intensified operations across counties to tackle graft in procurement. This Nyamira case highlights how quickly situations can escalate once probes gain momentum. Officers acted on solid intelligence that pinpointed specific transactions linked to the office block.

During the operation that netted him, Nyamasege stayed silent as handcuffs clicked. He avoided eye contact with the team that finally brought him out. The ceiling escape attempt quickly became talk of the town, with many calling it a desperate last stand.

Public finance experts note that assembly office projects should boost service delivery for residents. Instead, this one sparked accusations that diverted focus from actual development. The 30 million Ksh figure represents money that could have funded classrooms, clinics, or roads in the area.

Nyamasege built a reputation as a numbers man in local administration circles before this fallout. Colleagues once praised his grasp of budgets. Now those same skills face questions in open court. The dual deputy clerk and finance director positions concentrated too much influence in one person, according to critics of the setup.