Police officer worth Sh29m quizzed on heavy borrowing

A police constable on Friday told a vetting panel that he was worth Sh29 million and attributed the wealth to trade in cereals.

Mr Samuel Ngatia, a driver at the regional traffic office in Kakamega, however, could not explain why he borrowed heavily from friends.

“You are a rich man worth Sh29 million but how come you have not even bothered to construct a house for yourself when you have so much money?” asked Ms Mary Owuor, a member of the National Police Service Commission.

The constable told the panel that he had made his money from selling, among other cereals, maize, and maintained that his financial dealings were transparent.

But he failed to explain why he paid back Sh139,000 to a female colleague when he had borrowed Sh30,000 from her.

He sent some money amounting to Sh102,400 to an inspector of police but could not explain what the cash was for.

“I’m straight in my dealings,” he told Mr Johnston Kavuludi, the chairman of the commission.

Commissioner Owuor said it was perplexing that officers who were questioned over suspect financial transactions claimed they had borrowed the money from colleagues.

“When you come here and tell the panel how you have been borrowing money from all over, that shows your level of irresponsibility,” said commissioner Owuor.

Police constable Joyce Owiti was at pains to explain the source of Sh9 million she transacted on M-Pesa.

Constable Owiti, who has served in the Traffic Department for eight years, told the panel that she was involved in dairy, poultry and sugar cane farming.

“There is a colossal amount you transacted but you are unable to explain to this panel the source of this money,” said Mr Kavuludi.

Constable Joshua Njoka, who had been turned away for appearing before the vetting panel while drunk, got the opportunity to be interviewed on Friday.

He apologised for what happened and told the team that the condition of his wife, who had undergone Caesarean section, had left him depressed and confused.