EACC recommends fraud, abuse of office charges against ex-NYS boss Nelson Githinji

Former National Youth Service Director-General Nelson Githinji shortly after he appeared at the EACC headquarters on October 9,2015. The EACC has recommended that he be charged with abuse of office. PHOTO | JAMES EKWAM | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The EACC recommended the prosecution after an inquiry that linked Mr Githinji to servicing and maintaining his privately owned vehicle at the expense of the NYS.
  • The vehicle, registration number KBS 475S, according to the EACC, was serviced for Sh497,335 that belongs to the NYS.
  • Mr Githinji resigned as the director-general after Mr Tobiko ordered that he be prosecuted alongside others over a Sh695 million scandal.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recommended that former National Youth Service Director-General Nelson Gitau Githinji be charged with abuse of office.

Mr Githinji will also be charged with conspiring to defraud and fraudulently acquire public property.

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko said he had received files from the EACC recommending that the former director-general be charged alongside his personal assistant and NYS Chief Inspector Nicholas Juma, and Senior Superintendent Mechanic Geoffrey Kimani Kiria.

The EACC recommended the prosecution after an inquiry that linked Mr Githinji to servicing and maintaining his privately owned vehicle at the expense of the NYS.

The vehicle, registration number KBS 475S, according to the EACC, was serviced for Sh497,335 that belongs to the NYS.

Mr Githinji resigned as the director-general after Mr Tobiko ordered that he be prosecuted alongside others over a Sh695 million scandal.

The commission, mandated to fight corruption in the country, also recommended that charges be brought against Turkana Roads, Transport and Housing Executive Tioko Logorion for abuse of office, willful failure to comply with procurement laws and acquiring public property illegally.

Mr Tioko will be charged together with county officials David Moranga, Joseak Kosgei, Lawrence Lolii, Nancy Tatoi, Benson Logei, Aposo Namoru, Stephen Gole and Wilfred Lakiyoto.

The EACC stated in the letter to the office of the DPP that the named persons awarded a contract to rehabilitate the Lodwar-Napeikar-Moruese road for Sh11 million.

The same road, according to the EACC, had already been constructed by the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (Kerra) for Sh1.2 billion.

Apart from their prosecution, the EACC also asked the DPP to ensure that the accused persons are compelled to return the money they allegedly acquired unlawfully.

“EACC further recommends that recovery proceedings be instituted against Lawrence Lolii to recover the money lost,” the letter stated.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, in an address to Parliament on March 26, 2015, directed that all corrupt public officers be investigated.

The NYS has attracted national interest because of several corruption allegations against several individuals at the agency, including Mr Githinji, and some businessmen.

The scandals prompted the resignation of Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru and Planning Principal Secretary Peter Mangiti.

The recommendation for prosecutions comes a day after Captain Sam Michuki was named the director-general of the NYS.

His appointment was announced by Public Service Principal Secretary Lilian Omollo on Friday.

Mr Michuki had been the senior NYS deputy director in charge of the Kibera Slums Upgrading Project before Ms Waiguru relieved him of his duties.