Suspects in Kenya’s Sh1 billion NGO tender scandal charged

NAIROBI: Four people believed to be members of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that is alleged to be involved in a scam worth a billion shillings took plea in a Nairobi court Tuesday.

Mercy Kinyanjui, Dominic Okeari Mabeya, Paul Ogola and James Mwangi Ng’ang’a were last week released on a Sh31 million bond and a surety of a similar amount or a cash bail of Sh3 million.

They are among seven suspects facing 25 counts of obtaining goods on false pretences and conspiracy to commit a felony.

The felonies were allegedly committed between February and December last year in various companies along Peponi Road in Spring Valley, Nairobi. They are accused of obtaining goods worth Sh60 million and failing to pay for them.

EASY HEARING

They claimed Joytharc International was a registered NGO and was in a position to pay for the goods.

State Counsel Duncan Ondimu successfully asked the court to consolidate the cases “for easy hearing”.

“Your honour the request is because the accused persons were arrested on different dates and charged separately,” he said.

According to the prosecution there are more charges and more suspects still at large but the arrested ones would be prosecuted first as investigations continue.

“These people have been operating an NGO and approaching companies for tenders to supply various goods with an assurance of payment,” Mr Ondimu said.

The suspects have allegedly defrauded enterprises in Nairobi, Nakuru and Eldoret among areas.

“They have been carrying out this crime for several years in various parts of the country. We managed to arrest them this year,” he said.

A warrant of arrest has been issued for Samuel Mburu, Mutura Isaiah and Irene Makena who are facing similar charges but failed to appear before court. The case will be heard on September 22.