Former Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu risks a 10-year jail term following investigations over alleged abuse of office during her tenure as county boss.
In a case progress report released by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Saturday, August 12, Ngilu was accused of irregularly appointing officials to the county Manifesto Implementation Unit (MIU) in 2017.
The Narc party leader was also alleged to have interfered with the role of the Kitui County Public Service Board (KCPSB) contrary to the law by pushing for the appointment of unnamed officials.
EACC documented that investigations over the accusations were informed by a complaint filed by the board.
"Investigations further established that on November 17, 2017, the Kitui Governor wrote a letter to KCPSB seeking the appointment of persons to the MIU.
"EACC Investigations revealed that on November 24, 2017, three members of the KCPSB directed the KCPSB Secretary to issue appointment letters to appointees nominated by the Governor to work within the MIU," read the report in part.
No advertisement of the positions was done contrary to the law, according to EACC.
The agency recommended that the former governor be charged with abuse of office in accordance with Sections 46 and 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.
EACC also asked the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to charge three other board members.
However, upon receipt of the file on June 14, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) directed the agency to conduct more investigations on the matter.
Section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act details that a person found guilty of the charges could be fined Ksh1 million in addition to the maximum 10-year jail term.
"A person convicted of an offence under this part shall be liable to an additional mandatory fine if, as a result of the conduct that constituted the offence, the person received a quantifiable benefit or any other person suffered a quantifiable loss," reads the Act in part.
