State goes after Ngirita family properties over NYS scam

Phylis Njeri Ngirita (left) during a past court proceeding. She is one of the three family members risking losing her property over NYS theft. [File, Standard]

Three members of one family risk losing properties worth millions of shillings they allegedly acquired using money stolen from the National Youth Service.

In the event that the suit by Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) succeeds, Phylis Njeri Ngirita, Lucy Wambui Ngirita and Jeremiah Gichina Ngirita will forfeit to the State several properties. They include pieces of land and vehicles allegedly bought using proceeds of crime and money laundering.

Through lawyer Peter Ngumi, the agency submitted that the three family members could not explain their sudden accumulation of wealth, leaving the agency to believe that the properties were acquired fraudulently using money stolen from NYS.

The three are among 37 individuals facing various charges in the NYS theft scandal.

“Investigations established that the three who are members of one family known as the Ngiritas received huge amounts of money from NYS," Mr Ngumi.

"They received the money through their respective business entities and personal accounts and used the money to purchase the properties."

Among the properties ARA wants forfeited to the State include a two acre land in Trans Nzoia, one acre in Naivasha, a quarter acre in Nakuru East, a quarter acre in Njoro and three motor vehicles.

In December last year, the High Court issued orders stopping the family members from disposing the properties on claims that they were acquired illegally.

Justice John Onyiego directed that the three respond to the allegations within two weeks and scheduled the hearing for April 15.