Treasury officials in court over alleged Ksh. 1.57B misappropriation

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

Treasury officials in court over alleged Ksh. 1.57B misappropriation

Audio By Vocalize

The nine suspects—three National Treasury officials and six business proprietors or company directors—are accused of abusing their offices, unlawfully acquiring public property, financial misconduct, uttering false documents, acquiring proceeds of crime and money laundering.

The alleged loss to the programme amounts to KSh1.569 billion.

Among those charged are PROFIT Programme Coordinator John Ngure Kabutha, National Treasury Head of Accounting Unit Namwel Moturi Motanya and Senior Accountant John Maina Muriithi.

Also facing charges are business proprietors and directors Gladys Juliet Oroni, Brian Kiprop Chepkarat, Ian Kwemoi Chepkarat, Josephat Kamau Kamoshe, James Omwodo Ndai and Jimmy Carter Odoyo Osodo.

According to the charge sheet, Kabutha and Project Accountant Billy Otieno Obango allegedly abused their positions to authorise payments running into hundreds of millions of shillings to various private businesses.

One count alleges that KSh73.8 million was irregularly paid to Mawindo Enterprises, while another cites payments of KSh41.1 million to Brigs Agencies and KSh71.4 million to Greenbasil Agencies.

The prosecution has also accused some of the business proprietors of laundering proceeds allegedly obtained through the PROFIT programme.

In one count, Gladys Juliet Oroni is accused of transferring KSh13 million through an advocates' client account to facilitate the purchase of several parcels of land. Another count alleges that KSh14.05 million was transferred through a similar account for land purchases.

All nine suspects have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Reporting originally appeared via Citizen Digital. Read the full source for additional context.