Gospel musician Faith Kithele yesterday was charged with stealing Sh28 million from the Kitui government.
Kithele is Environment executive George Mulatya’s wife.
She is accused of colluding with Kitengela businessman Alex Kioko to withdraw the cash from the county’s recurrent account on December 28.
The two appeared before principal magistrate Esther Boke and denied the charge.
Mulatya was present.
Kithele and Kioko were represented by lawyer Joseph Muinde who protested the presence of “a large number of journalists”.
“Did they seek the authority of the magistrate to cover the proceedings?” he said.
Boke told journalists to notify her in writing when they want to cover cases.
She urged journalists to report facts and not infringe on the accused’s rights.
Muinde asked for “reasonable” bond terms.
Kithele said she will always be available for the proceedings.
Prosecutor Zacharia Yegon did not oppose the bond plea.
The magistrate ordered the two released on Sh4 million bond each with a surety of a similar amount.
They were given the alternative of depositing Sh300,000 cash bail.
The case will be mentioned on Monday.
