While Kenyans are celebrating the official day when Kenya became an independent republic,some top big officials will leave to remember the threat of their freedom due to arrest over corruption during this celebratory period in Kenya.
The Anti-Corruption Court yesterday issued a warrant of arrest against for former Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) managing director Charles Tanui and eight others for failing to appear in court to answer to charges of conspiracy to defraud the company more than Sh659.9 million.
Milimani chief magistrate Douglas Ogoti issued the orders following an application by the prosecution, through Samuel Owiti, to issue the arrest order against suspects Tanui, Phillip Kimeu, Bramwel Juma, Charles Ochieng, Aero Dispenser Valves Limited, John Waka, Francis Obure, Berly Khasinah, Jim Yuke and his company Allied Inspection and Testing Inc after they failed to appear in court as required.
The move came after seven of their co-accused Francis Githaiga, Samuel Odoyo, Nicholas Gitobu, Peter Gaitho, Jane Jesanai, Charles Maitai and Emilio Mwangi were arrested and charged yesterday.
They were released on a Sh2 million cash bail each. In his ruling, Ogoti ordered them to deposit their passports with the court.
He further barred the KPC employees from accessing their former offices pending hearing and determination of the case, among other conditions.
The prosecution of the 18 suspects comes a day after five KPC officials including former MD Joe Sang were on Monday charged over the Sh1.9 billion Kisumu oil jetty scandal.
Petroleum CS John Munyes however has defended suspended Kenya Pipeline CEO Joe Sang saying the government did not lose money in the Kisumu Oil Jetty project.
“No coin was lost in the Kisumu Oil Jetty project. I, however, leave the court and investigating team to do their job,” Munyes told the Senate Energy Committee on Tuesday.
He said tendering and execution of the project was above board. Munyes said that they had estimated the project to consume Sh1.48 billion but issued a Sh1.7 billion tender to cover overheads.
”If you add taxes to Sh1.7 billion, it gives you a range of Sh1.9 billion. All this was approved by the board and the Treasury,” Munyes said.