Banking Fraud boss named in NYS scam probe moved in DCI changes

Director of Criminal Investigation Ndegwa Muhoro  PHOTO MOSES OMUSULA

The police officer at the centre of the Sh791 million National Youth Service graft probe Joseph Mugwanja has been moved in changes within the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.

Mugwanja has been the head of the Banking Fraud Investigations Unit and was at the centre of the controversial probe, which has seen at least 30 people charged in court with various offenses.

Mugwanja who moves to the airports as the DCI boss has been replaced by Kajiado County DCI commander Ngatia Iregi.

The new Kajiado DCI will be Moses Dindi who has been the head of complaints at the DCI headquarters.

At the airports (Kenya Airports Police Unit), Mugwanja will replace Mr Joseph Ngisa who is retiring after attaining the retirement age.

Several other junior officers who have been at a particular station for more than four years were moved in the changes announced by DCI Ndegwa Muhoro

Main suspect in the NYS scam Josephine Kabura implicated Mugwanja in an affidavit saying he among others grabbed Sh80 million from her in a raid.

In February, Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet directed Muhoro to investigate the conduct of officers who handled the NYS corruption scandal.

Boinnet gave the order after officers were adversely mentioned alongside former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru in an affidavit by businesswoman Josephine Kabura Irungu.

But a probe that was launched by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is yet to give its verdict. The probe is ongoing and Mugwanja is among those who have been questioned.    

Kabura claims in the affidavit Mugwanja had even warned her in time that EACC would raid her house for a search.

“After taking plea that evening Mr Sautet and Mr Mugwanja came to my house to know if I was okay and informed me EACC was going to carry out raids at a later date on all suspects’ houses.”