EACC recommends charges against former NYS Director Githinji

Nairobi: The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recommended charges against the former National Youth Service (NYS) Director General Nelson Gitau Githinji over abuse of office, conspiracy to defraud and fraudulent acquisition of public property.

Dr Githinji is to be charged alongside Chief Inspector of NYS Nicholas Juma Makokha and Senior Superintendent Mechanic at the institution Geofrey Kimani Kiriha.

"EACC recommends the suspects be charged with abuse of office, conspiracy to defraud and fraudulent acquisition of public of property," stated EACC file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The commission made the recommendations following inquiry into allegations accusing Githinji of servicing and maintaining a privately owned vehicle at the expense of the agency at a cost Sh497, 335.

Githinji is among top Kenyan government officials facing charges over NYS saga in which millions of shillings were allegedly pilfered.

EACC further recommended that officials from Turkana County Government be charged for abuse of office.

Tioko Logriono, County Executive Ministry of Roads, Transport, Housing and Public Works is to be charged alongside David Moranga, Joseak Kosgei, Lawrence Lolii, Nancy Tatoi, Benson Logei, Aposo Namoru, Stephen Gale and Wilfred Lokiyoto for willful failure to comply with procurement procedure.

"EACC recommends the county officials be charged with abuse of office, willful failure to comply with laws relating to procurement and unlawful acquisition of public property," read a statement EACC.

"EACC further recommends recovery proceedings being instituted against Lawrence Lolii to recover money lost,” said EACC.

The DPP Friday sent a statement confirming receipt of the two files, stating that they will be reviewed independently before a decision is arrived at.

“Inquiry into allegations that the county government of Turkana awarded a contract to rehabilitate Lodwar-Napeikar-Moruese Road at a sum of Sh11,160,000 whereas the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA) had done a similar work on the same road for Sh1,190,160,000,” it added.

The two files by the EACC are part of the ongoing investigations on corruption involving government officials which were made public by President Uhuru Kenyatta early last year.