Six Sh5.6 billion Maize scandal suspects released on police bond

Officials from the National Cereal and Produce Board at the Ethics and Anti- Corruption offices in Kisumu. [Collins Oduor/Standard]

Six people linked to the questionable maize payments have been released on a Sh100, 000 police bond each.

The suspects, including four National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) officials, an assistant chief and a trader, were expected to be charged before the Anti-Corruption Court in Kisumu yesterday.

They were, however, not arraigned after it emerged the magistrate in charge of the court was not sitting.

According to detectives, Kibet Korir, a silo manager at the Eldoret depot, Laban Momanyi, a cashier at the Kisumu depot, Thomas Sang, an extension manager, David Korir, an assistant chief, and Rodney Kimutai, a trader, will be charged with various corruption-related offences.

According to investigators, the suspects were arrested on Monday evening and spent the night at the Railways Police Station in Kisumu.

It is, however, not clear whether the six colluded to commit the crimes they have been accused of or if they acted on their individual capacities.

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Kisumu Regional Director Ignatius Wekesa said the suspects would be presented in court tomorrow, where some might face charges of abuse of office.

“It is unfortunate that the anti-corruption court is not sitting, but we will arraign them,” said Mr Wekesa.

Detectives took the suspects’ fingerprints as journalists took pictures. Some of the suspects covered their faces with jackets.

They add to the growing list of suspects who have been arrested in relation to the maize scandal that has been the centre of controversy for the past few months.

Detectives have been investigating various depots countrywide and have picked crucial documents they are keen to rely on to build their case.

Last August 31, eight suspects, including Korir and other junior officers, were charged at the Milimani Law Courts in relation to the Sh5.6 billion scandal.

Korir denied the allegations. He was charged alongside Virginia Wamaitha, Stephen Kiprop, David Barngetuny, Peter Chirchir and Caroline Kipchoge.