The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has charged nine National Treasury officials and business proprietors. They are linked to the alleged misappropriation of about KSh1.57 billion under the Programme for Rural Outreach of Financial Innovation and Technologies (PROFIT).

The accused comprise of three National Treasury officials and six business owners or company directors. They face various charges, including abuse of office, unlawful acquisition of public property, financial misconduct, use of false documents, acquisition of proceeds of crime and money laundering.

Authorities allege that the PROFIT programme lost approximately Ksh 1.569 billion through the suspected irregular transactions.

Among those charged are PROFIT Programme Coordinator John Ngure Kabutha, National Treasury Head of Accounting Unit Namwel Moturi Motanya, and Senior Accountant John Maina Muriithi. Treasury officials KSh1.57 billion case.

Business proprietors and company directors Gladys Juliet Oroni, Brian Kiprop Chepkarat, Ian Kwemoi Chepkarat, Josephat Kamau Kamoshe, James Omwodo Ndai and Jimmy Carter Odoyo Osodo are also facing charges.

Millions Allegedly Paid to Private Businesses

According to the charge sheet, Kabutha and Project Accountant Billy Otieno Obango are accused of using their positions to approve payments worth hundreds of millions of shillings to several private businesses.

Prosecutors allege that one of the transactions involved an irregular payments of Ksh 73.8 million to Mawindo Enterprises. Other questioned payments include Ksh 41.1 million allegedly disbursed to Brigs Agencies and Ksh 71.4 million to Greenbasil Agencies.

Prosecution Raises Money Laundering Allegations

The prosecution has further accused some of the business proprietors of laundering money allegedly obtained through the PROFIT programme.

In one count, Gladys Juliet Oroni is accused of transferring Ksh 13 million through an advocates’ client account to facilitate land purchases. A separate count alleges that another Ksh 14.05 million was transferred through a similar account for the acquisition of land. This is part of the Treasury officials KSh1.57 billion case.

All nine accused persons have denied the charges and pleaded not guilty.