Court bars eight more people over stolen NYS millions

NAIROBI: A court has ordered eight more people not to deal in property allegedly bought using money stolen from the National Youth Service (NYS).

The Assets Recovery Agency (ASA) claimed the property valued at Sh39 million was acquired using NYS money. High Court Judge Mbogholi Msagha issued the orders targeting Samuel Wachenje alias Samuel Mwadime, his wife Susan Mkiwa Mdanyi, Vandamme John, and the alleged mastermind behind the saga, Ben Gethi’s kin Anthony Kihara Gethi and Charity Wangui Gethi.

The judge also issued orders against John Ndung’u, Paul Gachoka and James Kisingo.

The Muthoni Kimani-led agency moved to court to halt dealings on three Toyota Prado vehicles, a plot in Juja East and a maisonette bought in Kasarani.

“An order is hereby issued prohibiting sale, transfer, mortgage, attachment, disposal or any dealings on the following properties for a period of 90 days from the date of the preservation order,” Justice Msagha ruled.

The maisonette, the court was told, belonged to Mr Mwadime and he had bought it at Sh21,856,000. He drew his wife Mkiwa into the matter after he registered the house under her name.Mwadime had been arraigned in the magistrate’s court alongside Mr Gethi for the loss of the NYS monies.

“Criminal investigations revealed the funds embezzled from NYS were fraudulently transferred to various bank accounts and subsequently used to purchase immovable and movable properties by and for the respondents to assist the suspects in concealing and laundering the stolen funds,” Muthoni told the court.

Mwadime is also said to have also bought a plot in Juja worth about Sh4 million.

Three vehicles allegedly bought with the stolen money are to be taken to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to await further court orders.

The first car, a Toyota Prado with registration KCE 852 T and worth Sh5.25 million, was allegedly bought by Mr Kihara but under the name of Gethi’s pointman, John Kago. It was to find way to Paul Gachoka while investigations were being carried out.

The second car, also a Prado KCD 536 (worth Sh5,070,000) was similarly bought by Kihara under the name of Kago but was allegedly later transferred to Mr Vandamme.

Mwadime also allegedly bought a similar car at Sh3.3 million and later changed ownership to Mr Kisingo.

ASA in its court documents said the trace of the money was leading to third parties who were initially not targeted. Justice Msagha ordered National Transport and Safety Authority to cancel the three vehicles’ licences and insurance covers if they are not surrendered.