By Tajeu Shadrack Nkapapa
Salim Swaleh Abdallah, the Director of Press Service at the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, along with five others, are set to remain overnight at Capitol Hill police station while awaiting a court decision on potential 14-day detention for further investigation into alleged fraudulent activities.
This is after the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) submitted a request for the temporary detention of the journalist as well as Otieno Japolo Michael, Terry Kemunto Sese, Daniel Omondi Gogo, John Musundi Wabomba, and James William Mokoha.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said that the accused were arrested in Nairobi while in the office of the Prime CS.
“The Investigating Officer (IO) in this case informed the court the six were arrested on Saturday at the Office Prime Cabinet Secretary in Nairobi after they allegedly lured foreign investors in the country with the aim of securing a tender to construct two stadia for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Games,” Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions stated.
“It’s alleged that upon entering the said office, Swaleh paved the way for the investors allowing the other respondents to hold a meeting with the foreigners where Otieno Japolo Micheal personated himself as the chairman of the Government Delivery Unit at the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, and promised to assist the United Arab Emirates (UAE) national to speed up the alleged tender,” ODPP added.
In court, James Gachoka, the prosecution counsel, informed the court that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is currently conducting an investigation into several offences.
These offences include conspiracy to commit a felony, attempting to obtain money through false pretences, personating a person employed in the Public Service, and abuse of office.
Gachoka requested the court to grant the investigating officer a period of 14 days to ensure the completion of the investigations before the respondents are formally charged in court.
According to the investigation reports the respondents were to part with Ksh.5, 850,000 as a registration fee before securing the tender.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has granted Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania the privilege of hosting this tournament.