Maize scandal: Eight suspects due in court this afternoon, 8 others wanted

Eight suspects in the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) maize scandal will be appear in court on Thursday afternoon where they will be charged with fraud and abuse of office.

Also Read: Agriculture PS Lesiyampe, NCPB officials arrested over maize scandal

Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) arrested them on Thursday morning and are in pursuit of the other eight.

“They are Agriculture PS Richard Lesiyampe, Cornel Kiprotich Ng’elechey (NCPB General Manager Finance) and Newton Terer (former NCPB managing director),” EACC Deputy chief executive Michael Mubea said during a Press briefing.

He added that the three suspects are in custody at Integrity Centre, the commission headquarters.

Others who were arrested in Eldoret include Virginia Wamaitha, Eric Talam, Peter Chirchir, David Barngetuny and Paul Marus.

They will be brought to Nairobi and charged alongside Lesiyampe and the other suspects.

Charges include conspiracy to defraud, fraudulent acquisition of public funds, abuse of office, unauthorised spending of public funds, neglect of duty, among others.