By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
Four men were today charged in a Nairobi Anti-Corruption court for allegedly interfering with condemned powder milk seized for destruction.
According to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution,it is alleged that the accused persons committed the offense on the 3rd May, 2023 at Sambot Ship’s Contractors within Mombasa County.
The court was informed that Joseph Ndungu Guchecha, Ramadhan Kariuki Gitau, Edwin Wanjala Barasa, and Francis Kyalo Mwandandu, along with unidentified persons not before court, unlawfully tampered with 1,511 bags, each weighing 25 kg, of condemned powdered milk that were under customs supervision for destruction without the approval of the Commissioner of Customs and Border Control.
cr”The suspects were also charged with stealing 1,511 bags each containing 25 kg of condemned powdered milk, the property of the Kenya Revenue Authority,” stated the ODPP.
The suspects faced different charges which were made separately.
However the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges, resulting in Joseph, Edwin, and Francis being granted release on a bond of Ksh. 200,000 and an alternative cash bail of Ksh. 100,000.Ramadhan, on the other hand, was released on a bond of Ksh. 500,000 or cash bail of Ksh. 200,000.
“Ramadhan was separately charged with the additional offence of being in possession of 1,511 bags each containing 25kgs of condemned powdered milk. The offence he allegedly committed on the 16th May, 2024 at Nuff Enterprises in Umoja Three in Nairobi,” explained ODPP.
“They pleaded not guilty to the charges, and Joseph, Edwin and Francis were released on a bond of Ksh. 200, 000 and alternative cash bail of Ksh. 100, 000, while Ramadhan was released on a bond of Ksh. 500, 000 or cash bail of Ksh. 200, 000,” ODPP added.
The court issued a warrant of arrest against Florance Wanjiku Muiruri, Moses Boyi Odhiambo and Daniel Ngugi after they failed to attend court.
The prosecution, represented by Mr. Duncan Ondimu, OGW, Vincent Cheruiyot, and Victor Nchaga, informed the court that the trio did not appear in court even after being summoned by the police, and all attempts to locate them were futile.