Ex-parastatal boss faults audit report

By LINAH BENYAWA

A former Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (Kemfri) director has told a Mombasa court theft charges against him were irregular.

Ezekiel Nyamunga Okemwa, who is facing the charges alongside former Kemfri Chief Accountant Andrew Mawna Orina, accountant Joseph Onderi, Joseph Tinga and Lameck Otieno told Senior Principal Magistrate Lillian Mutende a report by the deputy Inspector of State Corporations Edward Ngige was misleading and was made to serve his interest.

Representing the accused, advocates Jared Magolo, Gakuhi Ngachuki and Gikandi Ngibuini told the court the report Mr Ngige tabled was irregular and inappropriate.

This was after Ngige told the court the Government asked him to investigate graft claims at the institution.

"On November 29, 1999, the then Agriculture PS requested me to conduct preliminary investigation over allegations of misappropriation of funds at Kemfri," said Ngige.

But the accused, who are facing charges of stealing more than Sh6.8 million, told the court Ngige did not seek clarification over the claims.

"You made recommendations that adversely affect the suspects’ career without asking for explanation and clarification from the accused," said Ngubuini.

He argued the accused were denied a chance to fair hearing and instead were falsely accused.

Gakuhi said the money alleged to have been mismanaged could have been given out for research.

"Are you aware that the institute could have lent out the money for purposes of conducting research?" posed Gakuhi.

But Ngige refuted the arguments and said he was not aware the Treasury had provided loans for research activities.

The defence further argued that Ngige’s report was not conclusive and the evidence was not appropriate to apprehend the accused persons.

The suspects are alleged to have committed the offences on various dates between December 24, 1996 and December 2, 1999 at Kemfri and National Bank of Kenya, Moi Avenue branch in Mombasa.

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Kemfri