Ojaamong absolved from blame in sold waste management case

What you need to know:

  • It is alleged that on diverse dates between March 15 and September 25,2014, Mr Ojaamong and others conspired to defraud the county of this amount by entering an agreement for a feasibility study on solid waste management to be conducted.

  • Ms Mchuma, who has been blind since the age of three, told Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti that former finance minister Bernard Yaite tabled the issue during an executive meeting and that it was passed and minuted.

An executive in Busia County government has absolved Governor Sospeter Ojaamong from blame in the Sh8 million solid waste management project, saying it was discussed and adopted.

It is alleged that on diverse dates between March 15 and September 25,2014, Mr Ojaamong and others conspired to defraud the county of this amount by entering an agreement for a feasibility study on solid waste management to be conducted.

MEETING

Grace Matinde Mchuma, the Executive Committee Member for Community Development, Sports, Culture and Social Services, told an anti-graft court on Monday that it was resolved that German company, Madam R Enterprise Ltd, be picked to carry out the feasibility study on solid waste management.

Ms Mchuma, who has been blind since the age of three, told Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti that former finance minister Bernard Yaite tabled the issue during an executive meeting.

“I do recall Mr Yaite presented the issue of solid waste, which was discussed fully and adopted. Madam R Enterprises was picked for the job,” Ms Mchuma told the court during cross-examination by defence lawyer Dunstan Omari.

She denied signing a witness statement saying she was not provided with braille.

Ms Chuma further told Mr Ogoti that a statement was written by Ethic and Anti-Corruption Commission investigators but that she could not sign it also because she is blind.

“But as far as you are concerned, the executive committee endorsed the idea that a company be sought to carry out a feasibility study on solid waste management?” Mr Omari told the witness.

“Yes. I remember the agenda was passed and minuted," she responded.

Mr Ojaamong is charged alongside Mr Yaite, Chief Finance Officer Leonard Obimbira, Head of Treasury Accounting Samuel Ombui, Allan Omachari and Edna Odhiambo.

The prosecution alleges that they engaged a foreign company to conduct a study that had not been budgeted for.

The hearing continues.