Big names on graft list await DPP Keriako Tobiko's verdict

DPP Keriako Tobiko

Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko is set to make a decision on the fate of two leaders over inciting remarks they allegedly made.

Tobiko has confirmed receipt of investigation files on Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow and Kiambu Governor William Kabogo.

The DPP is also expected to decide whether to charge with tax evasion the alleged masterminds of the recent National Youth Service scam, Ben Gethi and Josephine Kabura.

This is after the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) recommended that Mr Gethi and Ms Kabura be prosecuted for tax evasion. “The DPP has received the files from the DCI and NCIC respectively; the files shall be independently verified and the decisions thereon made shortly based on evidence and the law," reads a press statement by Tobiko.

Kabogo was captured in a video widely shared on social media during the 30th anniversary celebrations of musician John de Mathew on November 25 warning CORD leader Raila Odinga and Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama of dire consequences if they did not stop insulting President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Kerrow got into trouble with the law after he claimed that KDF officers in Mandera were involved in mass killings when a picture of a dead woman buried in a shallow grave was shared on social media on December 6.

He took to his Twitter account to condemn the incident and later held a press conference at Parliament buildings where he accused KDF of being behind the killing of the woman and others who were allegedly interred in a mass grave.

This later turned out to be a hoax after extensive exhumation and Kerrow was forced apologise.

On Kabura and Gethi's cases, KRA recommended that the suspects be charged under the anti-corruption and economic Act (ACECA) and anti-money laundering Act.

Already, the two are facing corruption charges together with 25 others over same money.

The money, according to the prosecution, was wired to six companies fraudulently. These firms are said to be owned by three individuals.

Investigations into the saga revealed one of the companies was registered days after former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru raised a red flag.

Investigators unearthed that Form Home Builders was registered five days after June 5, this year.

Kabura, according to court documents, owns Form Home Builders and Reinforced Concrete Technology and Roof companies.

Mr Peter Omari, on the other hand, owns Gurumum Company and jointly holds rights with Caroline Njambi in Tegmen Trading and Draco Capitol companies.

Gethi is a businessman in Nairobi but hails from Nyeri. Irungu comes from Murang'a and was said to operate a salon on Koinange Street.

Others implicated in the saga are Joel Kanyi Karenju, Francis Kariuki, Jennifer Manyara Mugure, Roda Kavu Makau, Samuel Wachenje, Hendrick Nyongesa Pilisi, Naftaly Githinji, Ruth Njeri Hihu, Charles Onsase Nyaachi, Mary Wangui Mbuthia, Ezekiel Karanja Kamau, James Gitau Kanuthi, Samuel Kilonzi, Fredrick Okello Nasiche, Regina Nyambura Mungai, Philip Joshua Otunga, Jane Wangeci Gichuki, David Dicks Alunga, Titus Libondo and Chemos Kororia Ndiema.

At the same time, the Asset Recovery Agency (ARA) has already moved in and frozen accounts attached to properties belonging to the alleged masterminds, some of their kin and their lawyers.

Targeted are Gethi's pointmen in the saga John Kago, Kabura, Charity Wangui Gethi (Ben's mother), Jedidah Wangari Wangui (Ben's sister), Sam K Mwadime, lawyers Patrick Onyango Ogola and Martin Muthoni Gitonga.

Ogola, Gethi's lawyer, is said to have deposited Sh26.4 million (US$ 264 000) in bulk at I&M Bank and later demanded transfer of the same amount to Hong Kong, China, to buy clothes. The bank declined to transfer the money, prompting the lawyer to move to the High Court seeking to compel it to transfer the money.