NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 25 – Former Planning Principal Secretary Peter Mangiti was once again in the dock on Friday when together with 23 others, he was charged with conspiring to defraud the people of Kenya of Sh47 million.
Mangiti’s co-accused include former AIE holder in the Ministry of Devolution and Planning Adan Harakhe and the former Chair of the Ministerial tender committee Hassan Noor for whom warrants of arrest were issued for their failure to honour summons from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
The three are accused, together with other members of the Ministerial tender committee, of failing to adhere to procurement law in the awarding of a tender to Blue Star Enterprises for Automotive Engineering training material.
“On diverse dates between December 16, 2014 and September 28, 2015 within Nairobi City County in the Republic of Kenya conspired together to commit and economic crime to wit unlawful disposal of public funds Sh47,600,000 From Ministry of Devolution and Planning to the firm of Blues Star Enterprises,” the charges read.
The Directors of Blue Star Enterprises are also listed as accused persons for fraudulently seeking to acquire public property in the amount of Sh45 million.
“Betty Njoki Muriithi and Jennifer Muthoni Kinoti on or about September 28, 2015 within Nairobi County in the Republic of Kenya being holders of Account number 030002061501 in the name of Blue Star enterprises at Paramount Universal Bank, Koinange Branch unlawfully and fraudulently acquired Sh45,137,931.05 from the Ministry of Devolution and Planning, National Youth Service, being proceeds of supply of Training materials in the Automotive Engineering Faculty, that was irregularly awarded,” the charges read.
The 16 of the 24 accused who were in present in court on Friday denied the charges and were released on cash bail terms ranging from Sh250,000 to Sh1 million with the most severe falling on Mangiti who is facing several counts including abuse of office as is Harakhe.
Harakhe and Noor had moved to the High Court in an effort to forestall their arrest and prosecution.
Mangiti is already facing charges in relation to the siphoning of Sh791 million from the National Youth Service.
-capitalfm.co.ke
