A suspect linked to the alleged embezzlement and fraudulent disbursement of Ksh1.57 billion under the Rural Outreach of Financial Innovations and Technologies (PROFIT) Programme has surrendered to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
In a statement on Thursday, August 20, the commission said Charles Cheruiyot, the Director of Kaplan Logistics Limited, presented himself at the EACC offices at Integrity Center in Nairobi.
EACC said the suspect will undergo processing before being arraigned in court.
“One suspect, Charles Cheruiyot, Director of Kaplan Logistics Limited, has today presented himself at the EACC Integrity Centre for processing pending arraignment, following the Commission’s directive to suspects in the alleged fraudulent disbursement of KES 1.569 billion under the IFAD-funded PROFIT Programme at the National Treasury,” EACC stated.
The commission urged other suspects linked to the case to surrender and present themselves at the nearest EACC office.
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“The Commission calls upon the remaining suspects to immediately present themselves at EACC Headquarters in Nairobi or the nearest EACC Regional Office,” EACC added.
On Tuesday, August 20, EACC announced that it has arrested nine suspects in connection with the scandal.
The agency said the programme was implemented by the National Treasury with funding from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
"The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested nine (9) suspects in connection with the alleged embezzlement and fraudulent disbursement of Ksh1,569,582,338.20 under the Rural Outreach of Financial Innovations and Technologies (PROFIT) Programme, implemented by the National Treasury with funding from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)," the statement read.
According to EACC, investigations established that Ksh1.569 billion was fraudulently disbursed from the National Treasury Development Account to the PROFIT Programme before being channelled to 23 private entities, 15 business names and eight companies.
The commission said payments were allegedly made for goods and services that were never supplied or rendered.
EACC further said its investigators established financial connections between programme officials and some of the private entities that received the funds.
"Investigators also established financial links between programme officials and some of the private entities that received the funds, in apparent contravention of public financial management and accountability requirements," EACC stated.
The agency said investigations were completed and the inquiry file was forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), who approved the prosecution of 20 public officials, companies and company directors.
Among the suspects arrested are PROFIT Programme Coordinator John Ngure Kabutha, National Treasury Head of Accounting Unit Namwel Moturi Motanya and Senior Accountant John Maina Muriithi.
The other suspects are Gladys Juliet Oroni, proprietor of Mawindo Enterprises, Brigs Agencies and Green Basil Agencies; Brian Kiprop Chepkarat, proprietor of El Konyinta Technologies; Ian Kwemoi Chepkarat, director of 020 Investments Limited and Vidi Vici LTD.
EACC detectives also arrested Josephat Kamau Kamoshe, director of Blue Dart Agencies Limited; James Omwodo Ndai, proprietor of Ednas Agencies, Prozepp Technologies and Steeren Enterprises; and Jimmy Carter Odoyo Osodo, proprietor of Cadnic Investments.
The commission also directed 11 other suspects to immediately present themselves at the EACC Integrity Centre in Nairobi or the nearest EACC office for processing.
