Five Homa Bay county staff in graft case released on Ksh.2M bond

Five Homa Bay County officials who were arrested and charged with embezzlement of public funds amounting to Ksh.27.8million have been released on a bond of Ksh.2million each.

On Wednesday, the court ordered that Michael Owino Ooro, Isaac Ouso Nyandege, Judith Akinyi Omogi, Edwin Omondi Okello and Caroline Sang also provide a security of Ksh.2million each with a surety of similar amount.

“I grant the accused persons bond but on strict terms. Each of the accused person will also swear an affidavit and disclose where he or she will be residing once released on bond,” Senior Principal Magistrate Thomas Obuto said.

He further warned the five not to attempt to interfere with witnesses and investigation processes upon their release.

The Magistrate indicated that the court would take stern action against the accused if they revoke the bond terms.

@EACCKenya arrests Otieno Bob Kephas- Homabay County Assembly Clerk and Maurice Odiwour Amek-Senior Accountant this morning in Homabay who are facing corruption charges. The two were on the run following the arrests of their colleagues last week by the Commission. #ouroil

— EACC (@EACCKenya) August 22, 2018

Detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) arrested the suspects on Thursday last week.

They were arraigned before a court the same week and remanded until Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile, Bob Kephers Otieno (county assembly clerk) and Maurice Amek (assembly Principal accountant) who were on the run have been arrested.

They were seized at the court’s entrance while attempting to present themselves together with their Defense team.

Otieno and Amek have been detained at the Homa Bay Police Station after a warrant of arrest issued against them on Friday last week.

The magistrate has directed that the two be presented before court at 3pm on Wednesday.

The mentioning of the charges against the five accused persons is scheduled for September 7, 2018.