RIO 2016 scandal: Former Sports CS Hassan Wario found guilty

Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario and former National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) Stephen Soi have been convicted of corruption and abuse of office over the Rio 2016 Olympic Games financial scandal.

The court while convicting Wario said that indeed he took advantage of his office and had three other persons travel and be included in the team Kenya and have allowances issued to them.

According to the court, this move by Wario resulted to loss of public funds.

“The additional names were included after they closed the accreditation… Clearly this was an indicator that the three were not part of the team Kenya ..,”ruled the court.

Magistrate Elizabeth Juma further noted that Wario did not have the mandate to allow the three travel to Rio. The three include Monica Sairo, Richard Abura and Edan Adow.

The magistrate noted that there was wastage of resources adding that the budget for the games needs to be tailored. She directed that not everyone involved in the planning should travel.

Also convicted is Stephen Soi. He has been found guilty of five counts.

The former Sports CS was charged with 4 counts, the first count is engaging in a project without prior planning contrary to Section 45 (2) (c) as read with sections 48 (1) of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act No. 3 of 2003.

The other three counts were abuse of office contrary to Section 46 as read with Section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act No. 3 of 2003 with particulars that he improperly conferred a benefit on three persons by including them on the list of delegation to Rio, Brazil for Olympic Games 2016.

The two will be detained at Gigiri Police Station pending their sentencing on Thursday, September 16.

The four who were acquitted include; Former Sports PS Richard Ekai, Haron Komen, former director of administration at the Ministry of Sports, Francis Kinyili and Patrick Kimathi Nkabu.