Suspects in maize scandal freed on Sh 5 million bond

Ethics and Anti-Corruption headquarters in Nairobi (PHOTO: Standard)

KISUMU, KENYA: Ten suspects implicated in the Sh5.6 billion maize scandal have been released on a Sh5 million bond each.

They were charged with several counts but all of them denying the charges that were read before by Principal Magistrate Patrick Olengo.

The suspects included officials from the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB), an assistant chief and traders all who are suspected to have participated in the crime.

On Friday, the magistrate ordered that the suspects who were unable to raise the bond be remanded at the Kodiaga Maximum Prison as their bond is being processed.

They include, Kibet Korir, a silo manager at the Eldoret depot, Laban Momanyi, a cashier at the Kisumu depot, Willy Kipkoech Kosgey, a silo manager at the Kisumu depot and his deputy Jeremiah Omutsani Omway , Thomas Sang, an extension manager, David Korir, an assistant chief.

Others are Willie Kipkoech who is the Kimumu Ward Assistant Agricultural Officer as well as traders Caroline Chepchumba, Mr Rodney Kimutai and Mr Stephen Kiprob Maiyo.

Another trader Victoria Jebet Rotich who has also been charged alongside the nine however did not appear in court with defense lawyers arguing that she was sick and admitted to the Avenue Health Center in Nairobi.

The court heard that between October 17, 2017 and June 1, 2018 the accused conspired to fraudulently acquire public property worth Sh110m from NCPB.