NYS theft suspects finally take plea

Eight National Youth Service (NYS) money laundering suspects have been released on bail.

Businessman Ben Gethi, businesswoman Josephine Kabura and six others are accused of having a hand in the loss of Ksh 791 million.

The eight were released on Ksh 300,000 cash bail with an alternative bond of Ksh 1M each.

The case will be mentioned on September 6, 2016 and the hearing on November 7 – 9, 2016.

Gethi, Kabura and the six others appeared before Nairobi Chief Magistrate Daniel Ogembo and denied the charges.

Gethi’s mother, Charity Gethi, who is also among the suspects and one other person, however, did not appear in court in person and were represented by their lawyers.

It is alleged that they committed the offense between December 1, 2014 and March 2015.

Late July, the Magistrate Court ruled that the accused would stand money laundering charges after they lost a case they had filed at the High Court seeking to stop their trial.

The court ruled that the orders sought by the accused persons were dealt with by High Court where they lost the case.

Magistrate Ogembo had ruled that there was no justification given to the court to stop the case against them and directed that they answer to the charges.

A similar application was dismissed by Justice Joseph Onguto who ruled that money laundering charges are stand-alone charges and directed the accused persons to take plea at the Magistrate Court.

The other accused are Gethi’s mother, Charity Wangui, his sister Jedidah Wangare, his brother Antony Gethi, KCB driver John Kago, Samuel Wachenje alias Sam Mwadime, Paul Gachoka, John Vandamme and Martin Wanjohi.