Three Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers have been charged for various offences on corruption in the 2021 military recruitment drive.
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Kiptum Poghisio, Corporal Tyren Ketah and Gunner Anthony Kimeiwa Leboo were each charged on multiple counts of deceiving unsuspecting Kenyans that they shall influence the recruitment process in their favour.
The trio were presented at the Kahawa Garrison on Friday.
Lt. Col. Kiptum was charged on five counts; disobedience to KDF Standing Orders, conduct to prejudice of good order and service discipline as well as committing civil offence contrary to the KDF Act 2012.
The first accused was alleged to have solicited the particulars and academic qualifications of two people in an attempt to recruit them to the KDF.
"On a third count, Col. Kiptum was alleged to have received Sh10,200 from Kiptoo Bwaley in false pretence that he would have him shortlisted as a Specialist Cadet during the recruitment exercise," the KDF said in a statement on Sunday.
The second accused, Cpl. Ketah, was alleged to have received Sh200,000 from ONE Patrick Nderi, by false intent that he would recruit her daughter in the military.
Gunner Kimeiwa is said to have received a total of Sh270,300 from two people by falsely pretending he was capable of influencing the recruitment of the two into the KDF.
The three denied all the charges when they appeared before the Principal Magistrate Hoseah Mwangi.
Their cases were adjourned to June 11, 2021 for a pre-trial conference.
The three are among five officers who were arrested following complaints by the members of the public who termed the recruitment drive as fraudulent.
Military prosecutor Colonel Simon Yator said the investigations by the Military Police linked the five with impropriety related to the nation-wide exercise adding that the civilian involved were charge in civil courts.
