A former Kenyatta University official has been sentenced to 14 years in prison or pay a fine of over Ksh4 million for office misuse and money laundering while serving at the institution.
In a ruling, delivered by a Nairobi Anti-Corruption Court, the former Kenyatta University official was convicted of the charges and ordered to 14 years in prison or a fine of KSh4,922,000 in connection with a fraudulent payment for undelivered wheat flour worth KSh288,000.
Chief Magistrate Eunice Nyutu Kagure delivered the ruling, finding the official guilty of both charges while serving at the institution.
For misuse of office, he was fined KSh900,000 or serve a term of seven years in prison, with an additional mandatory fine of KSh1,022,000.
On the money laundering charge, he was fined KSh3,000,000 or sentenced to serve a seven-year term behind bars.
The prosecution, led by prosecutors from the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), proved that between August 20 and September 30, 2019, the convicted individual was involved in fraudulent activities while serving as the in-charge of Central Food Stores at Kenyatta University.
During this period, he improperly certified the delivery of 200 bales of wheat flour worth KSh288,000, which were never delivered, by signing Verification Certificate Serial Number 56888 for Metnetwork Solutions, according to the ODPP.
The prosecution called thirteen witnesses to substantiate the case, ultimately securing the accused's conviction.
This is not the first time government officials have come under scrutiny by enforcement agencies over university-related affairs.
On January 14, officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) confirmed the apprehension of a former senior official in the Kisumu County Government.
The individual was accused of obtaining the position of Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) under false pretenses by presenting fake academic certificates.
During the three months he held the position, he is alleged to have defrauded the county of Ksh4,656,211 in salary payments.
