George Kinoti’s led Directorate of Criminal Investigation has been dealt with a major blow after the Director of Public Prosecutions has closed its file against suspended Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa.
The prosecution under DPP Noordin Haji says there is no case against Mwendwa.
“We seek to close the file as our team proceeds with probing the case at our own pace before we prefer charges against him,” said the DPP.
The court had granted the prosecution seven days to charge Mwendwa, who was accused of misappropriating funds allocated to the federation.
Mwendwa was last week arrested and arraigned before resident magistrate Wandia Nyamu.
After the DCI plea to detain him for 14 days pending investigations was denied, Mwendwa was granted Sh7 million bond or a cash bail of Sh4 million.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed disbanded the FKF two weeks ago suspending Mwendwa.
The dissolution of the federation followed an independent audit into FKF’s affairs, which Amina said it concluded that the FKF officials allegedly flouted national laws and regulations guiding management of sports organisations, public funds, hiring and firing employees.
“The Registrar has forwarded the report to my office and recommended that DCI, NIS and EACC carry out further investigation to establish the extent to which the misappropriation of funds in FKF may have occurred with a view of prosecuting those who may be found culpable .The current officials of FKF be removed from office to pave way for further investigations pending conclusion” read the statement.
The federation could not account for more than Sh513 million advanced to it by the government.
There were neither cashbooks nor payment vouchers in regard to grants from the Ministry of Sports for funds the federation received between 2017 and 2021.
Mwendwa has however maintained his innocence, claiming ‘witch hunt’ by the Sports CS.