Sales executive says vehicle in NYS case not owned by suspect Ben Gethi

Businessman Ben Gethi, a suspect in the NYS saga, appears before the Public Accounts Committee on October 4, 2016 at Parliament Buildings. A witness has said he is not the owner of a car that was allegedly bought using the NYS proceeds. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The witness said it is Mr Kago who paid the Sh10 million deposit on January 20, 2015 and cleared the balance later to secure the motor vehicle.
  • The NYS scandal led to the resignation of Ms Anne Waiguru as Cabinet secretary for Devolution and Planning.

A motor vehicle, which is subject of a money laundering case in the Sh791 million National Youth Service scandal, is not registered in the name of Mr Ben Gethi, a witness told court.

A sales executive, Mr Charles James Oduor, of RMA motors company that sold a Range Rover valued at Sh23 million said: “The vehicle is not registered in the name of Gethi.”

Testifying before senior principal magistrate Martha Mutuku, Mr Oduor said the vehicle is registered in the name of Mr John Kago, who is jointly charged with Mr Gethi.

The witness said it is Mr Kago who paid the Sh10 million deposit on January 20, 2015 and cleared the balance later to secure the motor vehicle.

“The said motor vehicle was delivered and received by Mr Kago at the basement parking area of Kencom House. It has never been transferred to Gethi,” Mr Oduor told the court.

During cross-examination by defence counsel, the sales executive said he did not know the source of funds that was used to purchase the vehicle from RMA Motors.

Mr Gethi, who is facing a money laundering case, is charged alongside Ms Josephine Kabura, Mr John Kago, Mr Samuel Wachenje, Mr Anthony Gethii Kihara, Mr Benson Gachoka, Mr John Hope, Mr Martin Gachara, Ms Jedida Wangari, Mr Charity Wangui and lawyer Patrick Ogolla.

They have since denied the charge and are out on bond. The scandal led to the resignation of Ms Anne Waiguru as Cabinet secretary for Devolution and Planning.

It also caused the President Uhuru Kenyatta to exchange salvos back and forth with the Opposition.

Hearing continues today.