Former West Pokot Officials Re-Arraigned in Ksh 291 Million Corruption Case
The magistrate ordered the suspects to be charged again after approving a prosecution request for a fresh plea.
The four West Pokot officials appearing before the Eldoret Court on 24th September 2024.
Four senior officials who served under former West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo were re-arraigned and granted varying bail terms after facing fresh charges in a Ksh 291 million corruption case.
Appearing before Eldoret Chief Magistrate Dennis Mikoyan, the accused denied all 27 charges during their plea hearing.
The individuals involved are Simon Kachapin Kodomuk, a former Chief Officer for Education; Mary Cheptur Ngoriakes, also a former Chief Officer for Education; Mathew Pkanan Arusio, the former County Director of Bursary; and Francis Pkemoi Tikol, the former Assistant County Director of Bursary.
The magistrate ordered the suspects to be charged again after approving a prosecution request for a fresh plea.
This decision followed the recent surrender of Simon Kodomuk, who had previously failed to appear in court, citing illness and hospitalization.
During the bail hearing, Magistrate Mikoyan granted the first, second, and fourth accused bonds of Ksh 20 million each, with one surety of the same amount, or alternatively, a cash bail of Ksh 4.7 million.
The second suspect was granted a bond of Ksh 3.2 million, with one surety of the same value, or a cash bail of Ksh 1.3 million.
The court also ordered the accused to surrender their travel documents until the case is concluded.
The charges stem from alleged offenses committed between 2017/2018 and 2021/2022. The prosecution has lined up nine witnesses to testify.
The charges include conspiracy to commit economic crimes, fraudulent acquisition of public property, abuse of office, failure to follow proper procedures in fund management, and falsification of documents.
They are also accused of issuing bad cheques and false accounting by a public officer.
The defense team is led by lawyer Kevine Ondago. The officials were arrested by officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission’s Eldoret regional office ahead of their court appearance.
The case is scheduled for hearing on December 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, 2024.
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