EACC recovers Ksh.7.5M stolen by HIV/AIDS cure researchers

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has reclaimed Ksh.7.5 million illegally acquired by two HIV/ AIDS researchers in 2004.

Job Keittany and Michael Chesikaw were working as herbalists and researchers at Par Aid, a community-based organisation, that received a grant from the National AIDS Control Council (NACC) to test the efficacy of herbal medicines in combating the killer disease.

The research was a collaborative effort between the AIDS council and Moi University, where the tests were scheduled to take place.

"Instead of undertaking the study for which the grant was given, the defendants embezzled the funds and used forged receipts allegedly issued by Moi University to the tune of Ksh.7,500,000 to account for the funds," a source at EACC told Citizen Digital.

"The recovery of the stolen public funds was realized through a civil suit filed by the defunct Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC), the predecessor of EACC on August 8, 2006 seeking orders to compel the two Defendants to pay back the amount together with costs and interest."

The pair reportedly opened a KCB account for purposes of receiving the grant monies and withdrawing the cash from it.

In a ruling issued on June 29, 2023, Justice Esther Maina noted that the anti-graft agency had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the two suspects were culpable of the said offence.

She ordered that Chesikaw return the said cash, plus interest at 12% P.A, to the AIDS Council via EACC since Keittany had passed away before the case's determination.

"The Commission was also awarded costs to be paid by the 2nd Defendant (Chesikaw) because the 1st Defendant (Keittany) is now deceased," said the EACC insider.