The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has today secured a major victory in the fight against corruption after the Anti-Corruption Court in Malindi convicted and sentenced individuals and companies involved in the fraudulent loss of more than Ksh. 51 million from the Kilifi County Government.
In a judgment delivered by Hon. E.K. Usui, the court-imposed fines exceeding approximately Ksh. 198 million and cumulative prison sentences of more than 75 years.
The case arose from fraudulent transactions conducted between 19th September and 7th October 2016, during which payments were unlawfully authorised amounting to Ksh. 51,569,775 through the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) and internet banking platforms.
The court ruled that Prosecution, represented by Esther Macharia, Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, and Rachel Amala, Principal Prosecution Counsel, demonstrated that the funds were paid to private companies for goods that were never supplied and services that were never rendered.
In her ruling, Hon. Usui observed that the offences caused significant economic harm to the people of Kilifi by depriving them of resources meant for development and public services.
Those convicted are Sarah Wangui Kamau, proprietor of Daima One Enterprise, who was found guilty of fraudulent acquisition of public property and acquisition of proceeds of crime involving Ksh. 7.2 million. She was sentenced to pay a cumulative fine of approximately Ksh. 17 million or serve five years’ imprisonment in default.
Mary Munyiva Kamau, Director of Makegra Supplies Limited, was convicted on six counts, including fraudulent acquisition of public property, uttering false documents, making documents without authority and acquisition of proceeds of crime. She was ordered to pay approximately Ksh. 25 million or serve 13 years in prison. Makegra Supplies Limited was separately convicted on four counts and fined approximately Ksh. 26 million, with an eight-year custodial sentence in default.
Stephen Mutua Nguzi, Director of Kilingi Investment Company Limited, was found guilty on 12 counts, including fraudulent acquisition of public property, uttering false documents and acquisition of proceeds of crime. He was sentenced to pay approximately Ksh. 32 million or serve 12 years in prison.
Samuel Buku, Director of Leadership Edge Associates Limited, was convicted on four counts of fraudulent acquisition of public property, uttering false documents and acquisition of proceeds of crime. He was fined approximately Ksh. 18 million or face seven years’ imprisonment.
Lucy Wanjugu Kibogo, Director of Jahazi Investment Company Limited, was found guilty of seven counts, including fraudulent acquisition of public property, acquisition of proceeds of crime and conspiracy to commit an economic crime. She was ordered to pay approximately Ksh. 37 million or serve 13 years in prison. Following the conviction of Jahazi Investment Company Limited for its role in the fraudulent scheme, she was further ordered to pay an additional Ksh. 15 million or serve six years in prison in default. Zohali Investment, associated with Ms. Kibogo was also fined approximately Ksh. 20 million.
These convictions mark another significant milestone in the DPP’s sustained efforts to combat corruption and economic crimes.
