DC denies misusing Sh8.75m

Laikipia DC Javan Sagero, who was charged in a Nakuru court with misappropriating Sh8.75 million meant for internally displaced persons in Molo District. He was freed on a Sh2 million bond. PHOTO/JOSEPH KIHERI

What you need to know:

  • Administrator freed on bail in fraud case involving cash meant for displaced people

A district commissioner was Thursday charged with misappropriating Sh8.75 million meant for internally displaced persons.

Mr Javan Sagero, the Laikipia DC, faced two charges of fraud and another of false accounting, which he allegedly committed when serving as a district officer in Molo.

The DC is accused of misappropriating Sh8.75 million on March 10, 2009, in Molo Town, which was earmarked for IDPs.

Mr Sagero, who was in charge of registration of IDPs in the same area, is also said to have committed fraud on October 28, 2009, by including in the register names of persons who did not qualify for government financial support.

This offence, the charge sheet reads, was prejudicial to the public.

In the third count, the DC is alleged to have forged a false return of cash, which was intended for payment to IDPs on April 22, 2009.

Mr Sagero, who was represented by five lawyers, denied all the charges and was freed on a Sh2 million bond with a surety of the same amount and an alternative of Sh1 million cash bail.

The hearing was fixed for February 17.

At the same time, the court issued a warrant of arrest on another man who is jointly accused with the DC.

State counsel Timothy Njogu had asked the court to issue the warrant of arrest for Mr Paul Sindani, who is also accused over the Sh8.75 million fraud.

The charge sheet also included nine other counts of forgery against Mr Sindani.

Mr Sagero was arrested on Wednesday evening at Rift Valley provincial headquarters by Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission and police officers and taken to Molo Police Station.

On Thursday morning, the administrator was driven in a government vehicle to the Nakuru law courts under tight security.

At the same time, five IDPs accused of stealing maize yesterday walked out of Nanyuki GK Prison on bail after spending two weeks in remand.

The suspects were arrested two days before Christmas and were arraigned in court on December 24.

They were each ordered to deposit a personal bond of Sh100,000 after they denied the offence.

However, they were unable to raise the bond and were remanded in custody.

Affordable bail

The accused were Mr Moses Muniu, Mr Simon Njau, Mr Peter Muhia, Mr John Mwangi and Mr Shadrack Thuita.

The IDPs are accused of stealing five bags of maize valued at Sh11,000 from Mr Peter Macharia Nduati at Kirathimo Camp in Wamura Village of Laikipia Central District.

On Thursday, when the case came up for mention before Nanyuki resident magistrate Elijah Gichangi, lawyer Paul Muite successfully argued for affordable cash bail.

In his application, Mr Muite argued that the accused were IDPs and they did not own any title deeds, which could be deposited in court. He pleaded with the court to free the accused on a cash bail of Sh5,000, which the magistrate granted.