- Gachagua arraigned last week, but his co-accused were not present.
- It is alleged that they conspired to defraud the county government of Nyeri Sh27 million.
Image: ENOS TECHE
Mathira CDF manager William Mwangi Wahome has denied conspiring to defraud the county government of Nyeri Sh27 million.
He was released on a cash bail of Sh1 million.
Wahome is one of the persons charged alongside Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua. There are 10 accused persons in the case.
Gachagua, who is the first accused, was arraigned on Tuesday last week and charged with acquiring Sh7.3 billion suspected to be proceeds of crime.
The charge sheet says the lawmaker fraudulently acquired the cash through three bank accounts in his name at Rafiki Micro-Finance Bank. He received the property between 2013 and 2020 in Nairobi county while knowing that it formed part of the proceeds of crimes.
Gachagua faced another count of conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption. When he was arraigned last week, his co-accused were not present.
The court issued summonses for them to appear in court. They pleaded to the charges yesterday.
The conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption charge was levelled against Gachagua, William Wahome, Anne Ruo, Julianne Makaa, Samuel Ireri, Grace Wambui, Lawrence Kimaru, Irene Wambui, David Nyangi and M/S Rapid Medical Supplies Limited.
It is alleged that they conspired to defraud the county government of Nyeri Sh27 million between May 2015 and December 2016.
David Nyangi and Rapid Supplies Ltd also faced a charge of fraudulently acquiring public property at Sh6 million. The money was part of payment purportedly made for the supply of dialysis machines to Nyeri Provincial General Hospital. They denied the charge before magistrate Rose Makhungu.
The magistrate granted all the accused persons bail after the prosecution indicated they will not oppose the request.
Wahome and Anne Nduta were granted a bond of Sh2 million or a cash bail of Sh1 million.
David Reuben and Rapid Medical Supplies Limited who faced a charge of fraudulent acquisition of property were granted a bond of Sh2 million or cash bail of Sh1.5 million.
The other accused persons - Julianne Makaa, Samuel Murimi, Grace Wambui, Lawrence Kimaru and Irene Wambui - were granted a bond of Sh1 million or a cash bail of Sh500,000.
Gachagua is out on a cash bail of Sh12 million, which he paid on the same date he was charged.
The accused persons will be remanded at Gigiri police to allow them to process their bail terms.
Edited by Henry Makori