KPA officials face graft charges

Mombasa,

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

KNA by Andrew Hinga

Eight Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Officials, were on Wednesday, charged before the Mombasa Anti-Corruption Court with Sh62 million graft charges.

The suspects appeared before Chief Magistrate, Alex Ithuku, to answer six corruption counts related to a tender project.

They include KPA Civil Engineering Department Senior Clerical Officer, Robert Bosuben, Chemiso East Africa Account signatory, Rose Cherotich, and the Agency’s agents, Idd Arube Nanyang and Azenath Kwamboka Mageto.

Others include former KPA Head of Procurement and Supplies, Yobesh Oyaro, and KPA Tender Evaluation Committee members, David Angwenyi, Norah Mugambi and Athanase Wambari.

The accused persons were charged with Fraudulent Acquisition of Public Property, contrary to Section 45(1) (a) as read with Section 48 of the Anti-corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003.

 The accused were also charged with Conflict of Interest contrary to Section 42 (3) as read with Section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act No. 3 of 2003.

They were also charged with Money Laundering contrary to Section 3(a) (i) as read with Section 16 of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act, No.9 of 2009, and Obtaining a Contract from a Public Institution by Pretense contrary to Section 313 of the Penal Code.

The accused were also charged with Forgery contrary to Section 348 as read together with Section 349 of the Penal Code and Uttering False Documents contrary to Section 353 of the Penal Code. The accused person pleaded not guilty to the charges and prayed to be released on a reasonable Bond term.

The prosecution through Principle Prosecution Counsels, Alex Gituma and Yassir Mohamed, did not object to the release of the suspects on Bond.

In his ruling, the Magistrate granted varied Bond terms to the suspects with Bosuben, Cherotich, Nanyang and Mageto being released on Sh 2 million Bonds with one surety of a similar amount or alternative Cash Bail of Sh500,000.

Ithuku further released Oyaro, Angwenyi, Mugambi, and Wambari on a Sh.1 million Bond with one surety of a similar amount or alternative Cash Bail of Sh 100,000. Ithuku summoned another Tender Evaluation Committee member, David Arika, who has since retired from KPA.

He was directed to appear on February 7, 2024, during a Pre-trial Conference, when the defense will be supplied with witness statements and other evidence, in readiness for trial.

Courtesy; KNA