By Lauryne Akoth
The former Director General of the National Museums of Kenya, Dr. Mzalendo Kibunjia has been arraigned in Milimani Law Courts over the embezzlement of Kshs 490M at the museum.
Kibunja and three other suspects were arrested yesterday by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) following their five-year fraudulent scheme.
The four, Dr. Mzalendo Nyaga Kibunjia, former Director General, NMK, Mr. Oliver Okinyi Rabuor, ICT officer, payroll section, Mr. Wycliffe Odhiambo Ongata, accountant, payroll section and Mr. Oscar Mwaura, ghost Employee recruiter embezzled the funds between the financial years 2015/2016 and 2021/2022.
According to the EACC, the quartet was arraigned following a tip-off suggesting that the officials were embezzling funds through irregular payments of salaries to ghost workers.
The money would then subsequently be transferred to senior officials.
The Director of Public Prosecutions who concurred with the investigation report by EACC recommended their arrest and prosecution.
The four have been charged with six counts of corruption including conspiracy to commit an offense of corruption, abuse of office, unlawful acquisition of public property, acquisition of proceeds of crime, money laundering, and financial misconduct.
As per the EACC, one suspect is yet to be arrested. ” One suspect, Mr. Stanvas Ongalo Opijah Director, Human Resource and Administration, who is yet to be arrested is hereby directed to immediately report to EACC Headquarters located at the Integrity Centre Building, at the junction of Valley and Jakaya Kikwete Roads or the nearest EACC Regional Office, without fail,” confirmed EACC.