Former governors Mike Mbuvi Sonko and Okoth Obado are among prominent Kenyans expected to appear in court this week at a time when high-voltage cases are collapsing.
According to a reminder notice dated Sunday, November 4, Obado and Sonko are set to appear in court for the mention and hearing of their graft cases respectively at the Milimani Anti-corruption Court.
The former Migori governor has a date with the court on Tuesday, December 6 for the mention of a Ksh 73.4 million corruption case.
In October 2021, he was charged with others with abuse of office, conspiracy to commit an economic crime, money laundering and unlawful acquisition of public property.
“Allegations relate to the misappropriation of public funds amounting to Kes.73.4 million,” the EACC notice stated.
On the other hand, the ex-Nairobi governor will appear in court on Monday, December 5, for the hearing in a Ksh 24.1 million cases.
Sonko, ROG Security Ltd and Others were charged with conflict of interest and irregular procurement.
“The Charges related to conspiracy to commit an offense of corruption namely, embezzlement of public funds in the sum of Kes.24.1 million from the Nairobi City County Government,” the and anti-corruption commission stated.
Further, on Monday 5, Dr. Shem Odongo Ochuodho, former CEO of Kenya Pipeline Company Ltd will appear before the court over charges of conspiracy to defraud contrary to section 317 of the Penal Code.
“It is suspected that through his actions KPC lost Ksh286 million,” EACC noted.
Dr. Ochuodho is the Global chairman of Kenya Diaspora Alliance, and was Member of Parliament for Rangwe constituency in Homa-Bay County between 1997 and 2002.
On Tuesday 6, Dr Bitange Ndemo and eight others are also expected to appear for the mention of a case in which they were charged with willful failure to comply with applicable laws relating to procurement and abuse of office.
“Allegations relate to irregularities in procurement of Konza ranch, Malili by ministry of information at a cost of Ksh5 billion,” the EACC notice read.
The former ICT Former ICT Permanent Secretary is Kenya’s ambassador to Belgium after he was appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta April 2022.
On the same date, former director of Kenya Medical Research Institute Dr. Davie Koech and others will be in court for the hearing of a case in which they were charged with fraudulent acquisition of public property and abuse of office.
“Allegations relate to misappropriation of Ksh537 million belonging to KEMRI staff retirement benefits scheme,” stated the EACC.
Former NHIF CEO Richard Kerich other Fund officials and Director of Meridian Centre Ltd with be in Court on Tuesday, December6.
They were charged with abuse of office and irregular procurement of Meridian center Ltd for the provision of outpatient medical cover under the civil servants medical scheme leading to fraudulent payment of Ksh117 million for services not rendered.
The country has seen several high-profile corruption cases collapse due to lack of evidence. For example, a Ksh400 million graft case against former Kenya Power MD Ben Chumo and 10 others was withdrawn in October 2022.
In October, the DPP dropped charges against Aisha Jumwa in a case in which she was accused of misappropriation of Ksh19 million allocated for the Malindi Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
In November, the Anti-corruption court allowed an application by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to withdraw the Sh7.5 billion graft case against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE