NYS senior officials charged with fraud, intimidation

The trial of 25 National Youth Service (NYS) officers charged with fraud has now been set for March 23 to 25 next year after the accused persons who were missing when the charges were first read appeared on Tuesday.

NYS boss Nelson Githinji and Devolution Permanent Secretary Peter Mangiti were charged with tempering with public officers by threatening and intimidating NYS Senior Deputy Director General Adan Harakhe against reporting the loss of Sh695 million to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

At the same time, 23 others were charged with conspiring to defraud NYS of Sh791 million, engaging in organised criminal activity, abuse of office and breach of trust.

Regina Mungai, Fredrick Nachiche, Josephine Kabura, Peter Otwoma, Hendrick Pilisi, Ben Muchemi, Samuel Wacheje, Jane Wangechi, David Alunga, Titus Libondo, Chemos Ndiema, Naftali Githinji, Ruth Hihu, Charles Nyaachi, Mary Mbuthia, Ezekiel Kamau, James Kanuthi, Samwel Kilonzo, Philip Otunga, Jennifer Mugure, Rhoda Makau, Joel Karenju and Francis Kariuki are some of the officers to face prosecution under this offence.

The officials have also been accused of engaging in criminal activity and abuse of office.

Regina Mungai, Josephine Kabura, Peter Omari and Caroline Njambi, who are the proprietors of Form Homes Builders, Roof and All Trading and Reinforced Concrete Technologies, Dracol Capital, Grumum Engineering and Tegmen Trading, are also set to be prosecuted for fraud, engaging in organised criminal activities and abuse of office.

Regina Mungai and Hendrick Pilisi were also accused of making false documents contrary to section 347(A).

The accused persons from the Devolution Ministry appeared before Chief Magistrate Daniel Ogembo, except one, to plead to the charges that were read afresh, and which they all denied.

They have been released on a Sh3 million cash bail or an alternative Sh20 million bond with one surety of the same amount.

The case is set for mention on 8th December.