Chief Magistrate Wendy Kagendo to preside over fake laptops scandal at Deputy President’s office, ODPP directs

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) has announced that the fake Sh180 million laptops tender case at the Deputy President’s office will be heard by Milimani Chief Magistrate Wendy Kagendo.

The case has been postponed since Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku was transferred to Mombasa last year halting the hearing of the case.

The prosecution has produced two witnesses to testify against Allan Kiprotich Chesang, Teddy Awiti, Kevin Matundura Nyongesa, Augustine Wambua Matata, Joy Wangari Kamau, James William Makokha alias Wanyonyi, and Johan Ochieng Osore through SPPC Nyakira Kibera.

The seven accused persons are faced with seven counts, including conspiracy to defraud, making a document without authority, obtaining goods by false pretenses, handling stolen goods, and abuse of office.

The case was first reported in 2018, where the businessmen were accused of obtaining fake documents for the supply of 2,800 laptops valued at Ksh180 million.

They purported that the document was signed by a senior officer at Harambee house to hoodwink a trader. The court further learnt that the suspects obtained details from a company based in Nairobi.

The case had emanated from Harambee House, which President William Ruto occupied during Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime.

“With intent to defraud by means of offering tender documents under the name of the office of Deputy President, he falsely pretended that he was carrying out a genuine tender business and that he was able to deliver 2,800 pieces of laptops valued at Ksh180 million to the office of the deputy president – a fact he knew to be false,” the charge sheet read in part.

However, the seven suspects denied the charges levelled against them.