Former West Pokot employees charged with Ksh294m fraud

Three senior officials who served under former West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo yesterday denied 27 counts related to embezzlement of public funds amounting to Ksh296 million.

Suspects Mary Cheptur Ngoriakes, former chief officer for Education, Mathew Pkanam Arusio, former county director of bursary and Francis Pkemoi, former assistant county director of bursary appeared before Eldoret Chief Magistrate Dennis Mikoyani.

Simon Kachapin Kodomuk who also faced similar charges did not present himself in court to answer for plea taking. This prompted the Chief Magistrate to issue summons for his appearance in court on Tuesday next week failure to which a warrant for his arrest will be issued.

Reasonable bond

The lawyer for the three suspects Kevin Ondaka pleaded with the court to release his clients on reasonable bond and bail terms owing to their respective circumstances.

Ondaka also informed the court that Kodumuk who is a former chief officer for education, could not make it to court for plea-taking due to ill health.

“Your honor, the first accused person is incapacitated and is currently admitted in a hospital where he is recuperating and once he recovers, I shall ensure that he avails himself in court,” said Ondaka. He told the Magistrate that none of the accused persons has a passport and that they are not a flight risk.

“Your honour, I humbly pray that you be lenient to my clients by giving them reasonable bond and bail terms since all of them have fixed abode,” argued Ondaka.

The lawyer also brought to the attention of the court that Mary Ngoriakes, has a child who suffers from epileptic and needs her personal attention at all times. The lawyer further pleaded with the court to have mercy on Mathew Arusio, whom he claimed that he suffers from asthmatic and diabetic condition and that he is on medication. In his rejoinder, the State Counsel through David Fedha called for stiffener bond and bail terms.