6 County Officials Charged Over Alleged Ksh50 Million Land Procurement Scandal

Six Nakuru County officials have been charged in connection with alleged irregular procurement of land valued at Ksh 50 million. 

In a statement on Wednesday, August 26, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said the funds had been set aside for the acquisition of land for the construction of a health centre in Bahati Sub-County.

“Six individuals have been charged over the alleged irregular procurement of land valued at Ksh50 million for the construction of a health centre in Umoja Lanet Ward, Bahati Sub-County, Nakuru County,” read part of the statement.

The suspects include: Chief Officer, Department of Lands, Housing and Physical Planning and Accounting Officer Judyleah Gathoni Waihenya, Acting Director, Supply Chain Management Services Samuel Wachira Gachigi, and Departmental Accountant, Ann Wangui Muya. 

Others are Senior Physical Planner Jane Karungari Muriuki and Deputy Director, Administration Sammy Munga Nyagah and Samuel Githure Maina. 

According to the ODPP, the six suspects conspired between October 2019 and October 2020 to commit an economic crime involving Ksh50 million in public funds.

“It is alleged that between October 2019 and October 2020, the accused persons conspired to commit an economic crime involving Ksh50 million, being public funds in respect of Tender No. NCG/DP/LHPP/05/2019/2020 for the purchase of land for a health centre in Umoja Lanet Ward, Bahati Sub-County,” ODPP said.

The prosecution alleged that the project was undertaken without prior planning and that the accused failed to comply with applicable procurement requirements.

The suspects are facing 10 counts, including Conspiracy to Commit an Economic Crime, Engaging in a Project Without Prior Planning, Willful Failure to Comply with the Law Relating to Procurement, and Forgery and Abuse of Office.

Five of the suspects were arraigned on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to the charges. The sixth accused person is expected to take plea at a later date.

The court released the five suspects on a bond of Ksh2 million with one surety of a similar amount with an alternative cash bail of Ksh250,000.

This comes weeks after nine suspects including seven employees of the Nakuru County Government were charged over the alleged irregular award and payment of procurement contracts worth Ksh120 million. 

In a statement on Friday, July 31, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said the suspects faced 19 counts related to alleged conflict of interest, money laundering, acquisition of proceeds of crime, procurement offences, and corrupt and fraudulent practices in procurement proceedings. 

The ODPP noted that the charges stem from the alleged irregular procurement and payment of tenders awarded by the County Government of Nakuru to three companies.

“The Director of Public Prosecutions has today charged nine individuals, seven of whom are employees of the County Government of Nakuru, with 19 counts arising from alleged conflict of interest, money laundering, acquisition of proceeds of crime, procurement-related offences and corrupt and fraudulent practices in procurement proceedings,” read the statement in part. 

The nine individuals were charged alongside three companies, namely Denken Building and Construction Limited, Murinchamba Investment Limited and Windcom Solutions Limited.

All the accused pleaded not guilty to the 19 charges and were released on bond and bail terms pending trial.

The first, second and third accused persons were each granted a bond of Ksh1 million with one surety of a similar amount, or cash bail of Ksh200,000. 

Meanwhile, the fourth to ninth accused persons were each released on a bond of Ksh500,000 with one surety of a similar amount or cash bail of Ksh200,000.