Four individuals, Simon Kachapin Kodomuk, Mary Cheptur Ngoriakes, Mathew Pkanan Arusio, and Francis Pkemoi Tikol, have been charged before the Eldoret Law Courts with conspiracy to commit an economic crime, contrary to Section 47A(3), as read with Section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.
It is alleged that on diverse dates between 8th February 2018 and 11th October 2018, within West Pokot County, the accused persons, being public officers employed by the West Pokot County Government, jointly conspired to commit an economic crime, namely the fraudulent acquisition of public funds amounting to Ksh. 291,063,050.00 through irregular withdrawals from the West Pokot County Bursary, Education Development & Infrastructure Fund.
The accused face a total of 27 counts of economic crimes, including fraudulent acquisition of public property, abuse of office, wilful failure to comply with applicable procedures and guidelines relating to the management of public funds, wilful failure to comply with procurement laws, making false documents, false accounting by a public officer, and issuing bad cheques.
The prosecution submitted that the accused persons, in their capacities as the Chief Officer for Education and the Director for Bursary, respectively, breached their fiduciary duty, thereby defrauding the county of substantial amounts of money earmarked for educational development.
The 2nd to 4th accused pleaded not guilty, while the 1st accused did not appear in court, and summons were issued for 1st October, 2024. The court reserved its ruling on the bond application for 1st October 2024.