54 suspects linked to the latest National Youth Service (NYS) scandal have been taken to court to answer to at least seven corruption charges.
Police vehicles were lined up at the Mathangani Police Station at 11am on Tuesday ready to ferry the suspects to the Milimani Law Courts.
They were handcuffed in pairs and frogmarched to the awaiting cars. A dramatic video (below) from Citizen TV then showed them being whisked away.
“Suspects in Ksh.8billion NYS scandal to appear in court today to answer to offences relating to fraudulent payments from NYS. ODPP working closely with DCI, EACC & NIS to ensure water tight case,” the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution said on Twitter said on Tuesday.
On arrival at the courts, some of the female suspects were seen alighting from the vehicles carrying children.
The suspects will face charges that include include willful neglect to perform official duty, abuse of office, fraudulent acquisition of public property and fraudulently making payments from public revenues for goods not supplied.
Ten business entities that are alleged to have benefited from fraudulent payment of funds from NYS are also on the spot.
The Director of Public Prosecution earlier indicated that the first phase of the investigations will focus on individuals while the second will target banks linked to the scam. -Citizen