A former top official at a State corporation splashed Sh41 million in 10 months to purchase property but could not explain the source of his money.
Stanley Mombo Amuti, a former National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation finance manager, once banked Sh1.5 million in cash in one day.
He visited the ATM 15 times to deposit the amount in instalments of Sh100, 000, attracting the attention of detectives.
Amuti had a Sh180, 000 monthly salary and earned an additional Sh10, 000 for consultancy services, but accumulated a wealth portfolio that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) argued did not match his income.
EACC told the Court of Appeal yesterday that besides the questionable cash deposits, Amuti had bought several properties, including a high-end car – a Toyota Land Cruiser – and land within 10 months. He was found with Sh4 million in cash when EACC raided his home.
Through lawyer Philip Kagucia, EACC argued that it was impossible for Amuti to spend such an amount of money between September 1, 2007 and June 26, 2008 without showing the source of the income.
The attention of investigators was attracted by Amuti’s lifestyle and the deposits he made to his accounts in Barclays Bank and the National Westminster Bank, PLC London.
The Standard reported that on May 12, 2008, the court heard, Amuti visited an automated teller machine (ATM) 15 times, depositing into his account Sh100, 000 on each visit. In total, he deposited Sh1.5 million.
The following day, on May 13, he deposited Sh2 million.EACC, in its argument before Court of Appeal judges Philip Waki, Otieno Odek and Gatembu Kairu, said it was not wrong for Amuti to have so much on him, but failing to explain how he got it raised a red flag.
According to court papers, EACC investigators found Amuti with Sh300, 000 cash, and upon raiding his house, they discovered Sh3.9 million.