A Director General of the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) has been charged alongside two others with corruptly conferring a benefit of Sh 4.8 million for the supply and maintenance of sewing machines.
Stephen Ogenga, James Waweru and Sheila Wambui Nyakinyua were charged before a Milimani anti-corruption magistrate Ziporah Gichana.
Waweru and Wambui both Directors of Xponics Limited were accused of corruptly receiving Sh 10.1 million from NITA based on falsefication of a tender for the supply and maintenance of sewing machines.
A former Director General of NITA Paul Kipsang Kosgei who was scheduled to face prosecution for conferring a benefit of Sh 5.3 million to Xponics did not turn up in court to face charges.
However the court heard Kosgei is unwell and recuperating at his rural home,
“Your honour my client is unwell in his rural home where he is recuperating,” said the defence lawyer.
The magistrate was told that the former Director General who is accused of abuse of office had not been informed that he was required in court today.
Kosgei is charged that on diverse dates between January 31, and March 29, 2019, he improperly conferred a benefit of Sh 5,388,410 to Xponics in respect of a tender for the supply, delivery, installation, commissioning, training, servicing, maintenance and repair of training sewing.
Ogenga denied that between January 31, 2019, and June 30, 2021, he corruptly conferred a benefit of Sh 4,800,654 to Xponics by authorizing payments to the said company in respect of tender NO. NITA/12/2017-2018 for the supply and maintenance of sewing machines.
Waweru and Nyakinyua have denied receiving corruptly Sh 10,189,064 from NITA by presenting a false bid to ensure an unfair advantage in respect of the said tender for the supply and maintenance of sewing machines for the financial year 2017/2018.
The three were charged with engaging in fraudulent practice by submitting a false bid in respect of a tender for the supply and maintenance of sewing machines to NITA.
The magistrate heard the company and its two directors committed the offence between December 31, 2016 and June 20, 2018.
The accused applied to be released on bond through their lawyers saying they have cooperated with investigators and they are not a flight risk.
The prosecution did not oppose their release on bond but urged the court to consider the amount involved being public funds.
In her ruling, the magistrate directed the accused to deposit a bond of 5 million with one surety of the same or alternative cash bail of one million with contact persons.
She further ordered the accused to deposit their passports in court and not to interfere with witnesses whereby their bond will be cancelled if they demonstrate any misconduct.
The court further deferred the plea taking of Stephen Kipsang Kosgei to Wednesday when he will face charges before the same court.