Hunter hunted as former prosecutor fined Sh200,000 for bribery

An Eldoret court has fined a prosecutor based in Kitale Sh200,000 after he was found guilty of soliciting bribes.

Eldoret Chief Magistrate Charles Obulutsa ruled that James Naburuk Sichangi will serve two years in jail in default for two counts of receiving bribe contrary to Ethics and Economic Crime Act.

Obulutsa said although the accused was the first offender, his action exposed the National police and the office of Director of Public Prosecutor to public ridicule and contempt.

According to charge sheet the accused, who was working as a court prosecutor at Kitale law court on November 15 2014, solicited for a bribe of Sh60,000 from Ms Joyce Wanjiku as an inducement to support a bail application by Wanjiku’s employee Fred Wabuoba who was charged in a Kitale court.

On the second count, Mr Sichangi is said to have concealed Sh30, 000 which was to be used as evidence into the alleged offence.

The accused was initially charged with five counts of corruption by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

The complainant reported the matter to the offices of EACC in Eldoret where she was given a recorder and Sh60, 000 marked money which was given to the accused as a bribe.

The charge sheet further stated that the accused was recorded asking for the money.

He received the treated money on November 13 at the Kitale law court where he was immediately arrested by EACC detectives.

“The court finds that 1st, 3rd and 5th counts have not been proved beyond reasonable doubt of which the accused is acquitted. In respect to the second and fourth count they have been proved beyond a reasonable doubt,” said the Magistrate in his judgement.