Economy

Summons out for 11 to plead to NYS money laundering charges

kabura

Josephine Kabura Irungu, who is among the suspects. PHOTO | FILE

A Nairobi court has summoned 11 people to answer to money laundering charges over the Sh791 million National Youth Service (NYS) scandal.

Ms Josephine Kabura Irungu, who recently filed an explosive affidavit implicating former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru and other senior State officials in the scam, is among 11 suspects required to appear before the chief magistrate.

They are expected to answer to 15 counts of money laundering arising from investigations into the theft at the NYS.

Prosecutor Duncan Ondimu made an application before Senior Principal Magistrate Joyce Gandani, who directed the Banking Fraud Investigations Unit to execute the summons.

“The accused persons are not before court today, it is hereby ordered that they appear for taking of plea on March 8,” the magistrate said.
Also among the suspects are businessman Ben Gethi and lawyers who reportedly acted on behalf of those accused of being behind the theft.

The charges against Ms Kabura, Mr John Kago Ndungu, Mr Patrick Ogolla Onyango and Mr Ben Gethi read that between December 1, 2014 and April 30, 2015 in Nairobi they jointly engaged in an arrangement for the purchase of a motor vehicle registration number KCB 750Z, a Range Rover, at a cost of Sh23 million.

READ: Gethi, lawyers face NYS money laundering suit

They allegedly knew that the money used was from proceeds of crime, namely Sh791,385, 000 stolen from the NYS.

Ms Kabura, Mr Kago and Ms Charity Wangui Gethi are further charged with buying a Jeep Cherokee at Sh6.3 million with money obtained from the NYS.

Mr Samuel Mudanyi Wachenje, alias Sam Mwadime, allegedly bought a Toyota Prado worth Sh5.2 million with the money, the prosecution says.

The fourth charge states that Mr Kago, Mr Antony Kihara Gethi and Mr John Hope Van Damme jointly made arrangements to purchase a Sh5 million Land Cruiser between December 1, 2014 and April 30, 2015 in Nairobi.

Ms Kabura, Mr Kago, Ms Wangui Gethi and Mr Patrick Ogolla are also charged with buying land worth Sh63 million in Roselyn Estate, Nairobi from the proceeds. Mr Mudanyi and Ms Kabura are also accused of buying Clay City House at Sh21.8 million with the stolen money.

The prosecution alleges that Mr Mudanyi also used Sh3.8 million to secure himself a plot in Ruiru. Ms Kabura is further charged with an illegal transfer of Sh10 million into Family Bank account in name of Mr Mwadime.

She is further implicated in arranging the transfer of Sh4.8 million to the account of Brownfield Developers held at Diamond Trust Bank.

Mr Ogolla, Mr Martin Gachara Wanjohi and Ms Wangui Gethi are charged with jointly transferring Sh77.6 million to the account of Ms Wangui Gethi held at Faulu Kenya.