The National Youth Service scam suspects Josephine Kabura, Ben Gethi and six others were yesterday ordered to pay Sh300,000 bail each to secure their release, pending trial over money laundering.
The eight, whose prosecution has stalled since February, finally pleaded to 15 counts preferred against them by the Director of Public Prosecutions over the Sh791 million fraud.
They denied the charges before chief magistrate Daniel Ogembo. Three other suspects, including Gethi’s mother Charity Wangui, his sister Jedida Wangare and lawyer Patrick Ogola, who allegedly carried out transactions in the scandal, will take a plea on September 6, when the case will be mentioned.
Other suspects are John Kago, Samuel Wachenje, alias Sam Mwadime, Paul Gachoka, John Vandamme and Martin Wanjohi. It emerged Wangui is admitted at the Melchizedek Hospital, while Ogola’s lawyer brought medical documents showing he is also ailing.
“I have considered the nature of the charges and circumstances surrounding the matter, particularly the fact that it relates to another case. I direct the accused be released on Sh1 million bond and a surety or Sh300,000 bail each,” Ogembo ruled.
He said he considered the fact that the DPP did not oppose the suspect’s release on bail. The DPP accuses them of plotting to buy several properties to conceal the fraud.
He says the suspects allegedly knew the money they used to buy property, including high-end vehicles, land and houses, was proceeds of crime, namely Sh791,385,000 stolen from the Devolution ministry.
Some of the properties have already been frozen by the Assets Recovery Agency. Some suspects are battling to save their property and have filed cases at the High Court.
