DPP approves charges against Kaberia, nine others over Sh330million CHAN funds graft
Those approved for prosecution include Kaberia, who was Principal Secretary in the State Department for Sports Development, as well as former Senior Principal Finance Officer Stephen Njoroge Muthuma, former Director of Administration Harun Chebet Komen, former Principal Accountant Enock Ondwari Onditi and former Senior Superintendent Engineer John Kiende Ruga. The other individuals are Marcos Gonzalez Puente, Director of Auditel Kenya; Samuel Mbaa Njoroge, Director of Taxwise Consulting Limited; Kitheka Muema, Director of Restea Enterprises Limited; Anthony Mwangi Kimanthi, Director of Lease Pride Limited; and Ephrahim Kinyua Muchangi, Director of Leasepath Limited.
Former Sports Principal Secretary Peter Kirimi Kaberia and nine other individuals have been cleared for prosecution over the alleged misappropriation of Sh330 million set aside for Kenya’s preparations to host the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga said on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, that he had approved graft-related charges against Kaberia, four other former Ministry of Sports officials and five businessmen following investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
The suspects will face charges including abuse of office, unlawful acquisition of public property, failure to comply with procurement laws, acquisition of proceeds of crime and financial misconduct.
“The charges arise from investigations conducted by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), whose inquiry file was submitted to the ODPP for review and guidance,” Ingonga said.
He added that an independent assessment of the evidence had established sufficient grounds to prosecute both the individuals and companies linked to the transactions.
“Upon an independent and thorough evaluation of the evidence,” the DPP said, “sufficient grounds exist to prosecute the suspects and the companies involved.”
Those approved for prosecution include Kaberia, who was Principal Secretary in the State Department for Sports Development, as well as former Senior Principal Finance Officer Stephen Njoroge Muthuma, former Director of Administration Harun Chebet Komen, former Principal Accountant Enock Ondwari Onditi and former Senior Superintendent Engineer John Kiende Ruga.
The other individuals are Marcos Gonzalez Puente, Director of Auditel Kenya; Samuel Mbaa Njoroge, Director of Taxwise Consulting Limited; Kitheka Muema, Director of Restea Enterprises Limited; Anthony Mwangi Kimanthi, Director of Lease Pride Limited; and Ephrahim Kinyua Muchangi, Director of Leasepath Limited.
Five companies have also been charged in connection with the alleged financial misconduct. They are Auditel Kenya, Taxwise Consulting Limited, Restea Enterprises Limited, Lease Pride Limited and Leasepath Limited.
Sh1.5billion contract at centre of case
The case stems from a Sh1.5 billion contract awarded by the State Department for Sports Development to a private company in 2017, ahead of Kenya’s hosting of CHAN in 2018.
The contract was intended to cover the design, supply, installation and commissioning of security systems, pitch lighting and audio-visual networks at various stadiums being prepared to host the tournament.
Kenya hosted the Confederation of African Football (CAF) tournament in January and February 2018, with matches played in Nairobi, Kisumu and Kakamega.
EACC investigations into the contract allegedly established that it had been single-sourced and that the procurement process lacked proper bidding security and bypassed required procedures.
Investigators further alleged that despite Sh330 million being paid towards the project, no corresponding works were undertaken, supervised or completed.
The Sh330 million is at the heart of the criminal proceedings now approved by the ODPP.
The latest prosecution decision comes about seven months after EACC moved to court in a civil case seeking to recover the same amount, which the anti-graft agency described as having been paid under a fraudulent stadium tender.
The recovery proceedings and the criminal case arise from the same transactions and are expected to place the management of funds allocated for CHAN preparations under renewed scrutiny.
Officials, businessmen in the dock
The charges bring together former senior officials who were responsible for key areas of government operations, including finance, administration, accounting and engineering, alongside private-sector directors.
The prosecution is expected to examine how the procurement was initiated, approved and implemented, how the Sh330 million was disbursed and the role played by the private companies and their directors in the transactions.
The DPP said the decision to prosecute was based on an independent review of the evidence submitted by EACC after its investigations.
Ingonga reaffirmed the ODPP’s commitment to pursuing cases involving alleged misuse of public resources.
“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law, safeguarding public resources, promoting integrity, and ensuring accountability in the management of public affairs,” he said.
The suspects are expected to be presented before court to face the approved charges.
The case is likely to reopen questions over the management of public funds used to prepare Kenyan stadia for CHAN 2018, and could provide further details on how the Sh330 million was spent and the alleged procurement and financial irregularities surrounding the project.
