By: Diana Wenwa
Stephen Ogenga, the Director General of the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), and three others, including Xponics Limited, are facing charges in the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court for their alleged involvement in a corruption scandal.
The court was informed that between January 31 and March 29, 2019, Ogenga, while serving as Director General, unlawfully conferred a benefit of Ksh. 4,800,654 to Xponics Limited by auauthorisingayments related to a tender for supplying, delivering, installing, commissioning, training, servicing, maintaining, and repairing sewing and training machines.
Additionally, Xponics Limited, James Waweru, and Sheila Wambui Nyakinyua faced charges of fraudulent acquisition of public property amounting to Ksh. 10,189,064.69.
They allegedly submitted a falsified bid to gain an unfair advantage in the tender process.
The trio, along with Xponics Limited, were further charged with fraudulent practices under Sections 66(1) and (2) of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015. The charges state that between December 31, 2016, and June 20, 2018, they engaged in fraudulent practices by submitting a bid for tender No. NITA/12/2017-201, for the supply, delivery, installation, commissioning, training, maintenance, and repair of sewing machines for the fiscal years 2017 and 2018.
All accused parties pleaded not guilty before Hon. Zipporah Gichana and were granted a bond of Ksh. 3 million each, with a surety of the same amount, or an alternative cash bail of Ksh. 1 million each.
They were also ordered to surrender their passports to the registry and refrain from tampering with witnesses.
Former NITA Director General Paul Kipsang Kosgei, who was not present in court, was directed to appear for plea-taking on June 5, 2024.
Principal Prosecution Counsel Wesley Nyamache emphasized the necessity for the accused to deposit their passports and warned against witness interference.
The pretrial hearing of this case is set for Wednesday, June 19, 2024.