NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 9 – Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki was granted a Sh6 million cash bail Wednesday, after spending two nights in custody.
The Governor was charged with corruption in a Sh34.7 million scandal, involving the award and execution of a Sh34.7 million solid waste incinerator contract, which investigators said was irregularly awarded.
Njuki and fifteen other co-accused persons including county officials denied embezzlement of public funds on all charges read out to them.
The Governor and the fifteen other co-accused persons were presented before Milimani-based Magistrate Douglas Ogoti who granted them the cash bail Wednesday.
He gave the Governor the option of Sh10 million bond and a surety of a similar amount, as well as his co-accused Muthoni Muriuki, Florida Niende Nthwiga, Highton Murithi Njue and Teresiah Kagoji Mburia.
The other accused persons Mwenda Munene, Japhet Mutungi Nkonge, Emily Nktatha Micheni, Mike Mwiandi Muriithi, Japhet Gitonga Nyange and George Miano Mugweru were each released on a cash bail of Sh1 million or a place a bond of Sh3 million with a surety of the same amount.
The court further directed accused Kenneth Muciya Ngai and David Mbugwa Mwangi be released on a cash bail of Sh3 million or bond of Sh7 million each.
The court ordered that the Governor and county public officers not to access the county office unless accompanied by an officer from the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC). All the 21 accused persons were ordered to deposit their passports in court.
The project was procured, implemented and commissioned without an Environmental Impact Assessment and before the National Environment Authority issued a license, DPP Noordin Haji pointed out.
The DPP said investigators had established that the tender was awarded to a company known as Westomaxx Investments Limited, that had presented fraudulent documents, yet there were six other firms that qualified for the job.
The alleged procurement malpractice was committed in the Financial Year 2017/2018.
