Migori Country secretary takes plea, to spend four nights in police custody

Migori County Secretary Christopher Rusana when he appeared before Kisii Senior Principal Magistrate Nathan Shiundu to take a plea on abuse of office charges. [Sammy Omingo/Standard]

Migori County Secretary Christopher Rusana will spend four more nights at the Kisii Central Police station after being charged with abuse of office.

Mr Rusana yesterday pleaded not guilty to the charges before Kisii Senior Principal Magistrate Nathan Shiundu, with the prosecution team opposing bail or bond terms.

Rusana was charged with acting contrary to section 46A as read with section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act 2003.

He will appear in court on May 6, 2019 when the magistrate will rule on the bail and bond application.

The county official is accused that on February 29, 2016, at Migori County, being a public servant he used his office to improperly confer a benefit to Eliud Obonyo by appointing him to act as Director Supply Chain Management, a function of the County Public Service Board.

According to the Principal Prosecutor Jami Yamina, the prosecution team was against any bail or bond terms, citing the conduct of the accused.

“He has been acting with impunity by not abiding by the County Government Act.”

“Officers had a rough time arresting the accused. Members of the public appeared in droves. There is a likelihood that he will interfere with the witnesses, eight of whom work with the county government,” said Mr Yamina.

But Rusana’s defence lawyers Jared Kisere, Roger Sagana and Rodgers Abisai said the application lacked basis and looked strange.