Nairobi, Kenya- Let’s talk about what happens when a high-profile appointment crashes headfirst into the courtroom spotlight.
Businessman Bruno Oguda Obodha, controversially named the Managing Director of East Africa Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) by President William Ruto in December 2024, has now found himself on the opposite end of the law.
On Monday, Oguda was arraigned at the Mavoko Law Courts, facing a six-count charge sheet that includes forgery, fraud, and document falsification—charges that could rock not just his reputation but the very legitimacy of his appointment.
The legal drama began with a warrant of arrest after Oguda failed to show up in court, leading to his weekend detention at Athi River Police Station.
When he finally stood before Senior Principal Magistrate Derick Kuto, the prosecution didn’t hold back.
Among the accusations: Oguda allegedly forged a Protective Security Industry Association membership certificate for Blue Make International Security Company Ltd., an entity he’s associated with.
Bruno Oguda Obodha spent the weekend in police cells and was today charged with 6 counts of fraud including forging documents and falsified tender guarantee with intention to defraud Portland Cement. Thats the guy william ruto saw fit to appoint as MD of that Portland Cement.
He’s also accused of fabricating a radio station license (No. 2007534) and falsifying a certificate numbered 1360 back in November 2024—while still serving at EAPCC.
All of this, according to prosecutors, was done with fraudulent intent, a violation of Kenya’s Penal Code Sections 375A and 375B. You can read more about forgery-related offenses in Kenya’s official legal framework.
Despite a request for leniency from his legal team, Magistrate Kuto underscored the seriousness of the matter, granting Oguda Sh5 million bond (with surety) or a cash bail of Sh2 million, plus one credible contact person. The case is now set for trial directions on April 29, 2025.
Bruno Oguda Obodha, appointed to take the East Africa Portland Cement reins, has been arraigned in Mavoko over alleged fraud.Link: bit.ly/42xke9F #NFMNews #NationFM @NationAfrica
Appointment Under Scrutiny: Did the President Overstep?
The courtroom isn’t the only place Oguda’s name is being debated. His appointment as EAPCC’s MD—announced via a presidential press release on December 20, 2024—was met with immediate resistance from within.
Just two days after the announcement, EAPCC’s Board, led by Brig. (Rtd) Richard Mbithi, formally objected.
They wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Industry, Trade, and Investment, raising red flags over conflict of interest and citing a 2022 circular from the Head of Public Service that allegedly linked Oguda to fraudulent business activities with the company.
Things escalated further when EAPCC filed documents in court, arguing that President Ruto lacked the authority to appoint or confirm managing directors for the parastatal—a role reserved exclusively for the company’s board.
In response, a suit filed by lawyer Apollo Mboya took aim at Chairman Mbithi, adding yet another layer of legal complexity to the already heated saga.
As the legal proceedings inch forward and questions around corporate governance swirl, one thing is clear: EAPCC’s leadership crisis isn’t going away quietly.
With the board fighting to assert its authority and the courts examining serious criminal allegations, the once-straightforward appointment has now become a national talking point.
