NAKURU, Kenya — Nine individuals, including seven serving officials of the Nakuru County Government, have been charged over an alleged Sh120 million procurement fraud involving conflict of interest, money laundering, acquisition of proceeds of crime and irregular tender awards.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on Friday said the accused persons face a total of 19 charges arising from the alleged irregular procurement and payment of approximately Sh120 million in county tenders awarded to three private companies.
Those charged are Lorna Karamuta Mubichi, an Economist II at the County Government of Nakuru; Daniel Wainaina, Director for Medical Services; Kennedy Mungai, Chief Officer for Environment, Energy, Climate Change and Natural Resources; Timothy Kiogora Murithi, Director of Health; Josphat Kimemia, Chief Officer for Youth, Sports, Gender, Social Services and Inclusivity; Peter Gitau Thabanja, City Manager; Solomon Sirma, Chief Officer for Health; Kenneth Muriithi Ndubi; and Brian Mwenda Ndubi.
The nine accused were charged alongside three companies — Denken Building and Construction Limited, Murinchamba Investment Limited and Windcom Solutions Limited — which are alleged to have benefited from the disputed procurement process.
According to the prosecution, the charges include conflict of interest, money laundering, acquisition of proceeds of crime, procurement-related offences and engaging in corrupt and fraudulent practices during procurement proceedings.
All the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges before the court.
The court released the first, second and third accused persons on a bond of Sh1 million with one surety of a similar amount or an alternative cash bail of Sh200,000 each.
They were also ordered to surrender their passports and report to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) offices every two weeks pending the hearing of the case.
The fourth to ninth accused persons were each granted a bond of Sh500,000 with one surety of a similar amount or an alternative cash bail of Sh200,000.
The case will be mentioned on September 19, 2026, for pre-trial directions as the prosecution prepares to proceed with the hearing.
