3 Nyeri tax collectors charged with Sh3.3m theft

The three Nyeri County revenue officers who were on August 6, 2018 charged with 17 counts of corruption-related offences over theft of Sh3.3 million. PHOTO | JOSEPH WANGUI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The trio denied the charges and were freed on cash bail of Sh500,000 or Sh1 million bond each.

  • The charge sheet showed they forged nine documents and defrauded the county of Sh350,275.

  • Court told the trio stole Sh3 million which was in their possession by virtue of their employment.

Three revenue officers in Nyeri County have been charged with fraud, forgery and theft of more than Sh3 million following their arrest last week.

Mr Simon Wachira Maina, Mr James Wachira Kagiri and Mr James Muchiri Kanyoro appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Phillip Mutua where they were charged with 17 counts of corruption-related offences.

The trio denied the charges and were freed on cash bail of Sh500,000 or Sh1 million bond each.

State prosecutor Pauline Mwaniki told the magistrate that the officials committed the offences, jointly with others not before the court, on diverse dates between January 2017 and June 2018 at Mathira Sub-County offices.

Ms Mwaniki accused the suspects of forging documents, known as Local Authority Integrated Financial Operations Management System Bill, with intent to defraud members of public.

The charge sheet showed they forged nine documents and defrauded the county of Sh350,275.

The officials were also charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and stealing.

Court heard that they stole Sh3 million which was in their possession by virtue of their employment.