Cat and mouse games played out over the weekend as five former Sports and Culture and those from National Olympic Committee of Kenya (Nock) dodged detectives to evade arrest ahead of today’s arraignment over Sh55million graft claims.
The government set aside Sh544 million to facilitate athletes’ participation in the tournament but Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji affirms evidence shows the money was misused.
Five officials switched off their phones while others kept off their Nairobi residences in attempt to evade surveillance and subsequent arrest and detention at police stations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations officers.
They include Harun Komen Chebet, former Director of Administration, Ministry of Sports, Culture and the Arts, Stephen Kiptanui Arap Soi, Chief De Mission, Deputy Treasurer, Nock, Patrick Kimathi Nkabu, former Finance Officer, Ministry of Sports, Culture and the Arts, Hezekiah Kipchoge Keino, former President/ Chairperson, Nock and Francis Kanyili Paul, former Secretary General, Nock
However, newly appointed Kenyan Ambassador to Russia and former Sports Principal Secretary Richard Ekai was arrested and detained at Gigiri Police Station.
Abuse of office and fraud charges have also been preferred against former Sports Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario of misappropriation of Rio Olympics 2016 funds.
Wario is currently out of the currently at his station of posting in Austria as the Kenyan ambassador. He risks being recalled back into the country to graft charges.
“Upon independent review and consideration of the evidence contained in the inquiry file, I am satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to charge the above named suspects for misappropriation of over Sh55million.” Haji said.
Haji said all the seven suspects face six counts of abuse of office and four counts of willful failure to comply with laws relating to the management of public funds.
“During the Rio Olympics, the Government set aside Sh544 million to facilitate athletes participating in the games. Unfortunately, part of the funds was mismanaged thus denying athletes proper facilitation,” Haji said.
A total of Sh22million was embezzled, Sh16million used in the purchase of unutilised air tickets while allowances were overpaid to a tune of Sh15million and another Sh6million spent on unauthorized persons.