Two facing trial over Sh791 million theft skip court

Two suspects in the Sh791 million National Youth Service (NYS) scandal failed to appear in court yesterday.

The trial court heard that Josephine Kabura Irungu, who filed an affidavit implicating former Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru, and her co-accused, Samuel Wacheje, were unwell and could not appear for the mention of their case. Chief Magistrate Daniel Ogembo directed that they produce their medical reports by the next hearing date.

From left: Former Planning Principal Secretary Peter Mangiti, former NYS Director General Nelson Githinji and businessman Ben Gethi at the Milimani Law Courts yesterday. They are accused of attempting to intimidate Senior Deputy Director General Adan Harakhe. [PHOTO: FIDELIS KABUNYI/ STANDARD)

"I direct the prosecution to supply the defence with the copies of witness statements," Mr Ogembo also ordered.

Former NYS boss Nelson Githinji and former Planning Principal Secretary Peter Mangiti were last year charged with threatening and intimidating NYS Senior Deputy Director General Adan Harakhe against reporting the loss of Sh695 million to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. Some 23 others were charged with conspiring to defraud NYS of Sh791 million, engaging in organised criminal activity, abuse of office and breach of trust.

Regina Mungai, Fredrick Nachiche, Josephine, Peter Otwoma, Hendrick Pilisi, Ben Muchemi, Wacheje, Jane Wangechi, David Alunga, Titus Libondo, Chemos Ndiema, Naftali Githinji, Ruth Hihu, Charles Nyaachi, Mary Mbuthia, Ezekiel Kamau, James Kanuthi, Samwel Kilonzo, Philip Otunga, Jennifer Mugure, Rhoda Makau, Joel Karenju and Francis Kariuki are some of the officers to face prosecution under this offence.

In June last year, Ms Waiguru had stated that officers in her ministry had detected irregular transactions under the Integrated Financial Management Information Systems amounting to Sh826 million, but clarified that no money was lost.