Prosecution amends charge sheet in case against top Kenya Power officials

The prosecution on Wednesday amended the charge sheet in which former Kenya Power top brass are charged with failing to comply with procurement of labour and transport procedures that led to the loss of Ksh.159 million.

In the new charge sheet, the prosecution amended the tender number saying they had quoted the wrong one. This even as the hearing of the case resumed on Wednesday with the fourth witness taking to the dock.

Former Kenya Power CEO Ken Tarus and 8 others senior officials have been charged with carelessly failing to comply with procedures and guidelines relating to procurement of Labour and Transport that led to the loss of monies.

David Mwachi Makenzia, a legal officer who had allegedly been nominated to be among the people who would open a Kenya Power tender said he never participated in the process.

He further denied ever receiving any information or communication of being nominated as one of the people who would open the tenders.

The witness also claimed that at the time the tender was opened between March and June last year, he had been seconded to do revenue collection in Nairobi West.

Mr. Makenzia is expected to be cross examined by the defence lawyers on Thursday.

In the matter, Ken Tarus, Harun Karisa (Acting General Manager Finance), Daniel Tare (General Manager Network Management), Daniel Muga (Acting General Manager Supply Chain), John Njehia, James Muriuki, Bernard Muturi, Evelyne Amondi and Noah Omondi have all denied illegal allocation of tenders in the supply of transport and labour services.

It is alleged that on diverse dates between April 12, 2017 and June 12, 2018, the suspects – being senior officials of Kenya Power – used their respective offices to improperly confer a benefit of Ksh.159,195,364 to entities which had been irregularly prequalified.