County administrator charged with stealing Sh1 million MCAs imprest

Officer charged with theft of Sh1m.

An administrator attached to the department of Roads, Public Works and Energy was yesterday charged with stealing over Sh1 million imprest meant for ward representatives.

Judith Okutoyi Otieno faced three counts of stealing by servant, conspiracy to commit felony and giving false information to the police.

The court heard that the accused, on diverse dates between March 20 and April 29 at Kakamega Township, she stole Sh1,034,400, property of the county government that came into her possession by virtue of her employment.

On a second count, Ms Okutoyi was accused of giving false information to Sergeant Barrack Ouko that she had withdrawn Sh753,000 from her Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) account and lost it to armed robbers.

The money was to book a hotel in Kisumu for house committee members for Roads, Infrastructure, Public Works and Energy slated for April 25 and 26.

However, when the money was required by the members, the accused could not be traced at her home and her phone had been switched off.

She only resurfaced on May 3 when she reported at Kakamega Central Police Station that she had withdrawn Sh753,000, but was robbed by two attackers who were waiting on a motorbike at her gate.

Okutoyi denied the theft charges when she appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Hazel Wandere.

Through lawyer Caleoustus Shifwoka, she sought to be released on reasonable bond terms saying she is not a fright risk.

The magistrate ordered that she accused be released upon execution of Sh200,000 bond with two sureties of similar amount.

The case will be heard on July 25.