By Njamiu Kiboi
Agriculture Principal Secretary Richard Lesiyampe together with the top National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) managers have been arrested over irregular purchase of maize by the agency.
Cornel Kiprotich Ng’elechey, General Manager NCPB are among those who were picked from their houses as EACC detectives intensify their search for other top officials. This comes after the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji directed their arrest and prosecution.
According to DPP Haji, the officials will be charged with the willful failure to comply with law relating to management of public property, unauthorized spending of public funds, conspiracy to defraud, and abuse of office and neglect of official duty.
“Upon investigations, it was established that NCPB spent sh11, 365,879,918 thereby surpassing the sh6 billion budgeted for,” explained Haji. “The strategic food reserve oversight board had budgeted to purchase 2 million bags of maize for the financial year 2017/18 at sh6 billion.”
According to Haji, the offenders will be charged with willful failure to comply with law relating to the management of public property.