CS Rotich, PS Thugge released after posting Ksh.15M cash bail

Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich and Principal Secretary Kamau Thugge were on Tuesday evening released after posting their cash bail.

According to a source who spoke to Citizen Digital, the two were freed alongside Ministry of East African Community Principal Secretary Susan Jemtai Koech as well as National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) boss Geoffrey Wahungu.

CS Rotich and PS Thugge had earlier appeared before a Nairobi court where they were released on a bond of Ksh.50 million with one surety of a similar amount or Ksh.15 million cash bail after being charged over the multi-billion Arror and Kimwarer dams scandal.

Delivering the bail ruling, Magistrate Douglas Ogoti also barred CS Rotich and his co-accused from accessing their places of work, terming them as scenes of crime.

“The places of work of the accused persons are considered scenes of crime and they should keep away. If there is any need to visit their places of work that should be done in the presence of the investigating officer,” said Ogoti.

They were also warned against tampering with evidence in any form or approaching witnesses in the case.

Rotich, his PS and their co-accused were charged with wilful failure to comply with applicable procedures and guidelines relating to procurement as well as engaging in a project without prior planning.

Other charges leveled against them included abuse of office, committing an offence of financial misconduct, fraudulent acquisition of public property, wilful neglect to perform official duty and committing an offence of financial misconduct.

The pre-trial date will be set on August 8, 2019 when the matter will come up in court to ascertain compliance.