Puzzle over 'missing' report on faulty Kenya Power transformers
Former Kenya Power managing director Ben Chumo catches up with business news as he awaits ruling on an application for adjournment of the case against him and other former senior managers of the utility firm. Photo/ Richard Munguti
Prosecutor says the document is crucial to the prosecution's case and although they had photocopies, they needed the originals to go ahead with the trial.
The Kenya Power former managers are accused of procuring substandard transformers that caused the utility firm a Sh408 million loss.
They are accused of conspiring to commit an economic crime.
The trial of former Kenya Power senior managers -- among them former managing director Ben Chumo and his successor Ken Tarus -- failed to start on Monday after the court heard that a crucial document the prosecution wished to rely upon had gone missing.
Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Alexander Muteti asked for an adjournment so that they could investigate where the documents are and how they went missing.
The prosecutor told Chief Magistrate Felix Kombo that an original report that the Energy Regulatory Commission prepared on the matter was missing. He said the document is crucial to the prosecution's case and although they had photocopies, they needed the originals to go ahead with the trial.
He added that the DPP's office would also take action against the culprit.
The case was adjourned to Friday as the court gave the prosecution time to find the report.
Others charged The other managers charged in the case are Beatrice Meso, the former company secretary, Joshua Mutua, general manager commercial services, Abubakar Swaleh, general manager human resource and administration, Samuel Ndirangu, the general manager ICT, Stanley Mutwiri, general manager infrastructure development, Benson Muriithi, general manager network management, Peter Mwicigi, general manager regional co-ordination and John Ombui, the head of supply chain.
The managers are accused of procuring substandard transformers that caused Kenya Power a Sh408 million loss. They are accused of conspiring to commit an economic crime.
The charge sheet states that on diverse dates between August 3, 2013 and June 12, 2018, they procured transformers worth Sh408,533,221 from Muwa Trading.
They have further denied abuse of office and failure to comply with procurement laws.
Also in court was James Njenga, a director of the company.
The court further heard that the senior Kenya Power managers aided Muwa Trading Company to fraudulently acquire Sh202 million, by supplying substandard transformers.
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