54 NYS suspects to be charged as Govt freezes bank accounts

The Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji has named 54 individuals, including public servants and directors of business entities, who are set to be charged over the Ksh.9 billion National Youth Service (NYS) scandal.

The 54 — 40 public servants and 14 business operators — are set to be arraigned in court on Tuesday, as some of the bank accounts through which the funds were channeled through remain frozen.

Public servants are set to face at least seven charges including; conspiracy to commit an offense of corruption, willful failure to comply with applicable procedures on guidelines relating to the management of public funds and breach of trust by a person employed in the public service.

The other charges are; willful neglect to perform official duty, abuse of office, fraudulent acquisition of public property and fraudulently making payments from public revenues for goods not supplied.

Also set to face charges are 10 business entities that are alleged to have benefited from fraudulent payment of funds from NYS.

“Upon careful perusal and evaluation of the investigation files, I am satisfied that the evidence is sufficient to warrant urgent prosecution and that it is in the public interest to charge the following…,” said the DPP on Monday afternoon.

In addition to prosecution, Mr. Haji noted that detectives would be  seeking to recover the proceeds of crime as well as establishing the tax status of the companies and individuals involved in the scandal.

The DPP said this was the first phase of the investigations involving Ksh.468 million paid out to 10 companies/ entities, adding that the second one is set to focus on the banks involved in the scam.

“In phase 2 of the investigations, the DCI will focus on additional areas including companies/ entities that benefited from the fraudulent payments and banks that were complicit to the offences,” said Mr. Haji.

He further urged other suspects linked to the scam to surrender to the police immediately.

“As investigations continue, more suspects are likely to be charged. I urge all suspects who are in hiding to surrender themselves to the nearest police station,” said the DPP.

Here is the full list of the individuals and businesses set for prosecution:

Public Servants

1. Lilian Omollo — Principal Secretary, Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs
2. Richard Ndubai — Director General NYS
3. Sammy Michuki — Former Acting Director General NYS
4. Nicholas O. Ahere — Senior Deputy Director, NYS
5. Wellington A. Lubira — Acting Director, Finance, NYS
6. Evans Kundu — Former in charge, Mechanical and Transport Branch (MTB)
7. Clement Murage — Former Chief Accountant NYS
8. Peter Waema – Former Deputy in charge, Mechanical and Transport Branch
9. Peter M. Muritu — Former senior Superitendant, NYS
10. Rogers Nzioka — Former Head of Mechanical and Transport Branch Procurement
11. Lucas Owino — Internal Auditor, The National Treasury
12. Stephen Riungu — Internal Auditor, The National Treasury
13. Peter Muthomi — Internal Auditor, The National Treasury
14. George Ouma — Former Incharge, Operations, Huduma Centre, NYS
15. Josephat Njoroge — Internal Auditor The National Treasury
16. Humphrey mbogo — Accountant NYS
17. Christopher Simbauni — Former Senior Accountant NYS
18. Sammy Mbugua — Head of Accounts, Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs
19. Simon Kiiru — Head Mechanical and Transport Branch Procurement
20. Stephen Manyunzu — Accountant
21. Tabitha Ndungu — Accountant
22. Sophie kinyua — Examiner
23. Welenalo Mulupi — Storekeeper Mechanical and Transport Branch
24. Ferdinand Odoyo — Storekeeper Mechanical and Transport Branch
25. Wellington Matano — First Approver
26. Keziah Mwangi — Staff NYS
27. Stellah Biwott — Staff NYS
28. Timothy Rotich — Staff NYS
29. Jackson A. Juma — Staff NYS
30. Isaiah Adalo — Staff NYS
31. David Kirui — Staff NYS
32. Jamal Duba — Staff NYS
33. Juluis Airo — Staff NYS
34. Patrick Obunya — Staff NYS
35. Ezekiel Osoro — Staff NYS
36. Samuel Otieno — Staff NYS
37. Michael Ojiambo — Staff NYS
38. Stephen Macharia — Invoicer NYS
39. Don Kariungi —  IFMIS buyer
40. Kenneth M. Mwathi — IFMIS buyer

Directors and proprietors of business entities

1. Anne W. Ngirita
2. Philis Njeri
3. Catherine M. Mwai
4. Anthony W. Wamiti
5. Peter W. Kimani
6. James Thuita
7. Yvone W. Ngugi
8. Jeremiah Ngirita
9. Lucy w Ngirita
10. Andrine G. Nyambura
11. Catherine Kamuyu
12. Sera Muguru
13. Samuel Kanai
14. James Katululu

Business entities

1. Annwaw Investment
2. Njewanga investments
3. Arkroad Holdings Limited
4. Kunjiwa Enterprises
5. Ameri Trade Limited
6. Ngiwaco Enterprises
7. Jerrycathy Enterprises
8. Firstling Supplies Limited
9. Kalabash Food Supplies
10. Ersatz Enterprises