Nakuru hospital directors charged with abuse of office

Two directors of the Nakuru War Memorial Hospital, two senior officials from the Ministry of Lands and a surveyor were yesterday charged with twelve counts of fraud, forgery and abuse of office.

Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested the five on Friday over alleged fraudulent processing of a 50 years’ lease title for the facility.

They included hospital directors’ Dr Simon Mwangi and Roger Joslyn, Ministry of Lands officials Peter Nzuki and Stephen Kihenjo and surveyor Kipkemboi Marindich.

“On April 7, 2021 at the Ministry of Lands, you procured the extension of lease for 50 years in respect to parcel of land registration number Nakuru Municipality Block 11/107 which led to issuance of a certificate of lease to Nakuru War Memorial Hospital Limited,” the first charge for the five read.

Dr Mwangi, Joslyn and Marindich were jointly charged with forging the signature of Robert Otiti on a proposed extension of lease purporting that the document originated from the Rift Valley Provincial Surveyor’s office.

They were further charged with making a document without authority, uttering a false document and forgery of Antony Aroni’s signature on a document they purported to originate from the Ministry of Lands and signed by him.

Extension of lease

The three are also accused of forging the signature of Mr James Michoma, the director of Nakuplan Consultant in a plan for the proposed extension of lease with intent to defraud.

The five who appeared before Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Juma pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Lawyers David Mongeri and Lawrence Karanja who represented the accused persons applied that they be released on reasonable bail terms.

“Our clients are law abiding citizens who had presented themselves to the DCI before they were arrested. They are instrumental people in providing services to the public,” said Karanja.

Mongeri argued that the five were not a flight risk and were Kenyan citizens.

“Dr Mwangi, Joslyn and Marindich who are jointly facing 12 charges are released on a bond of Sh2 million with a surety of similar amount or an alternative cash bail of Sh1 million,” ruled Chief Magistrate Juma.

She also released Nzuki and Kihenjo who are facing one count on a bond of Sh500,000 with a surety of similar amount or an alternative cash bail of Sh300,000.

“The case will be mentioned on February.