Two Nairobi MCAs charged with demanding Ksh.1.7M bribe

Two members of the Nairobi County Assembly were on Monday charged before an Anti-Corruption Court with demanding a bribe of Ksh.1.7 million from a city businessman.

Appearing before Milimani Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti, the accused; Jared Okoth (Mathare North Ward) and David Mberia (Karen Ward) denied several charges of conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption.

They were charged that on diverse dates between April 4 and April 8, 2019, they conspired to commit an offence of corruption by receiving a bribe of Ksh. 1 million from Samuel Maina Kiragu; one of the owners of Kiragu Waichahi School.

Mr. Mberia was also charged individually that on April 25, 2019 at City Hall lounge, he requested for a financial advantage of Ksh.1.7 million from Mr. Kiragu.

The two, who are members of the Culture and Social Services Committee, were arrested on Friday for allegedly demanding the bribe from the businessman to allegedly influence the outcome of an inquiry that was to be carried out by the committee.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), through his assistant Joseph Riungu, urged the court to impose stringent bail terms on the duo saying they face serious charges and are State officers.

The MCAs, however, through their lawyers urged the court to release them on reasonable bail terms saying they are first-time offenders and will abide by all conditions set by the court.

Magistrate Ogoti directed that the two be released on a bond of Ksh.1 million or a cash bail of Ksh.500,000 each.

The matter will be mentioned in two weeks time.