Former Chief Registrar Gladys Shollei (left): Case forwarded to DPP, right, Suspended Investment Secretary Esther Koimett: Case dropped. PHOTOS | FILE
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The file recommending the trial of Ms Shollei and other former top Judiciary officials has been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after investigations dragged on for one year.
Also facing prosecution over allegations of procurement irregularities are suspended Kentrade CEO Alex Kabuga, Clerk of the Vihiga Assembly Joseph Alusiola and Isiolo County’s Executive Committee Member Asha Abdi, head of procurement Charles Gachihi Mungai and tender Committee members.
Agency however wants DPP to close the files of suspended Investment Secretary Esther Koimett, Mt Elgon MP John Serut, former officials of the Export Processing Zone Authority and former Director of Kenya College of Communication and Technology Patrick Omutia for lack of evidence.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has recommended the prosecution of former Chief Registrar Gladys Shollei over alleged irregularities in the purchase of a Sh310 million palatial home for the Chief Justice.
The file recommending the trial of Ms Shollei and other former top Judiciary officials has been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after investigations dragged on for one year.
“File forwarded to DPP with recommendations to charge former Chief Registrar Gladys Boss Shollei, her Deputy Francis Kakai Kissinger and members of the Judiciary Tender Committee,” EACC chief executive Halakhe Waqo said Thursday in a press release.
Also facing prosecution over allegations of procurement irregularities are suspended Kentrade CEO Alex Kabuga, Clerk of the Vihiga Assembly Joseph Alusiola and Isiolo County’s Executive Committee Member Asha Abdi, head of procurement Charles Gachihi Mungai and tender Committee members.
The anti-graft agency however wants DPP to close the files of suspended Investment Secretary Esther Koimett, Mt Elgon MP John Serut, former officials of the Export Processing Zone Authority and former Director of Kenya College of Communication and Technology Patrick Omutia for lack of evidence.
Ms Koimett had been accused of using her office to deprive former employees of the Kenya Railways Corporation a house that had been set aside for purchase under the Tenant Purchase Scheme. Mr Serut faced allegation of stealing money belonging to a primary school in his constituency.
Also off the hook are Narok County officials who were initially accused of financial, hiring and procurement irregularities.
As for Mrs Shollei and the former top Judiciary officials, the anti- graft body says it has gathered sufficient evidence to sustain corruption charges over the purchase a mansion located in the upmarket Runda Estate to be used as the official residence of Chief Justice Willy Mutunga.
The property was allegedly bought from Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama and paid for in full by April 2013 without the backing of a valuation report or title transfer.
“We relied on interim or preliminary reports to award the tender for the purchase of the property,” Mr Kissinger told the MPs during an earlier grilling by the Public Accounts Committee.
The irregular purchase of the house brought Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Enterprises at the centre of the storm last year.
The MPs had accused the private arm of the university, hired by Mrs Shollei as transaction advisor, of committing Judiciary to close the sale deal without details such as the status of the lease, charges on the property and physical view of the property.
The MPs relied on the evidence compiled earlier by Auditor-General Edward Ouko in a special report that also accused the JKUAT firm of overcharging for services offered to the Judiciary.
Justice Mutunga did not occupy the house citing procurement irregularities even as Mrs Shollei denied any wrong doing throughout the public hearings into the saga.
