6 NCPB scandal suspects out on police bond

Six suspects arrested on Monday over corruption at the cereals board have been released on police bonds of Sh100,000 each.

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) officials in Kisumu on Tuesday said they had freed the suspects for now as the the Anti-Corruption Court was not sitting on Tuesday.

HAJI

EACC Western Regional Manager Ignatius Wekesa said the six will now be charged on Thursday when the court resumes from the Jamhuri-Day break.

“The court was not sitting today and tomorrow is a holiday so we have freed them. They will be arraigned in court on Thursday,” he said.

The suspects are Mr Willy Kipkoech Kosgey (silo manager, Kisumu) Mr Renson Kibet Korir (silo manager, Eldoret) and Mr Thomas Kipkurgat Sang who is Soi Ward extension officer.

Others are Kisumu Deputy Silo Manager Jeremiah Omutsani Omwayi, Mr Laban Momanyi Michira (a cashier at the NCPB offices in Kisumu), Nr David Bargetuny Korir (an assistant chief of Sionim) and a trader, Mr Rodney Kimutai.

In a statement sent to newsrooms, EACC Chief Executive Officer Halakhe Waqo said the commission has been investigating allegations of fraudulent acquisition of public funds at the board.

Mr Waqo said the commission wrapped up its investigations and forwarded the file to Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji, who, upon review, concurred with the recommendations of the commission and ordered arrest of the suspects.

"The DPP gave consent of arrest and prosecution of the suspects in court with various offences, among them conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption and unlawful acquisition of public property," said Mr Waqo.

UHURU ORDER

They are to face abuse of office charges and willful failure to comply with the law relating to management of public funds.

EACC is still pursuing four other suspects— Mr Willy Kipkoech Rotich (an agricultural officer in Kisumu) and three traders Mrs Victoria Jebet Rotich, Caroline Chepchumba and and Stephen Kiprop Maiyo.

"The four suspects are hereby directed to report to the nearest EACC office with immediate effect," said Mr Waqo.

The arrests came in the wake of many others following an order by President Uhuru Kenyatta to Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri to get to the bottom of the maize scandal at the board.

When the CS visited the board recently, nearly 60 per cent of maize stored at the Kisumu depot was found to be discoloured.

Mr Kiunjuri said they were yet to ascertain whether the 300,000 bags of maize were fit for human consumption.