KeRRA officer testifies in Sh 40M graft case against Embakasi North MP, others

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Embakasi North MP James Gakuya (standing) in court

A Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) officer has told the court that he was satisfied with the construction of four roads in Embakasi North constituency which got the area Member of Parliament and CDF officials face Sh 40 million corruption charges.

Moses Ochieng Onyango while told trial Magistrate Elizabeth Juma that he supervised the construction and completion of four roads namely Administration police access road, DOs access road, Maito Njeri, Cinema road which was done per the standards.

“l was very satisfied with the works on the alleged roads. After the contractor was done with the works l prepared a completion certificate and forward the same to KeRRA regional manager,” testified Onyango.

While being led in his evidence in chief by state counsel by Eva Kanyuira, the witness also produced photos showing the contractor constructing the roads.

The officer produced several documents including minutes of the Embakasi North CDF, payment Vouchers, Bill of quantities, summary of payment  of account showing the job he did during the constructions in the year 2015.  

He also produced a summary of a statement which he said is given after doing measurement when a road is completed and later facilitates payment to the contractors. 

In addition, the witness produced an acceptance letter from Mabaks Enterprises for the award of the contract dated 15th March 2015, a summary of bill of quantities and a  payment voucher voucher no 104 dated 7th July 2015 for the same company.

Onyango also told the court that the construction of Cinema road was done by Tresmu investment limited following an acceptance letter by the company dated 30th March 2015. He also produced a tax compliance certificate issued to Tresmu investment limited by KRA.

MP James Gakuya and his co-accused are facing four counts of conflict of interest after he allegedly awarded some companies linked to him the works totaling to Sh 40 million. 

Other companies that allegedly benefited are Hunyu Bush Clearing & Nurseries and Tresmu Investments ltd, which got tenders for construction of DO’s Road and Cinema road in the constituency.

The court also heard that Gakuya together with Patrick Waruingi, being the proprietors of Mabaks enterprises allegedly received a total of Sh 19.6 million.

Gakuya, Waruingi and Salome Nduta Kamumui, through Tresmu Investments are alleged to have fraudulently acquired a total of Sh 12.5 million.

Leah Waithera Guchu, the Embakasi North CDF account manager and Cleophas Omariba Oyaro denied six charges of failing to comply with laws relating to management of public funds.