The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved the prosecution of nine individuals over the alleged misappropriation of more than Sh1.5 billion under the Programme for Rural Outreach of Financial Innovation and Technologies (PROFIT).
In a press statement, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said it had received an inquiry file from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) concerning alleged embezzlement of public funds by officials of the National Treasury who were tasked with coordinating the PROFIT programme.
The funds under investigation amount to Sh1,569,582,338.20.
The DPP said an independent and thorough review of the inquiry file established sufficient evidence to charge the suspects with several offences.
“Upon an independent and thorough review of the inquiry file, the DPP established that there is sufficient evidence to charge the suspects for offences including: Abuse of Office, Unlawful Acquisition of Public Property, Uttering a False Document, Financial Misconduct, Acquisition of Proceeds of Crime and Money Laundering,” the statement said.
Among those approved for prosecution is John Nger Gabutha, identified as the Programme Coordinator of the PROFIT Programme.
Also facing prosecution is Manuel Moturi Motanya, the Head of the Accounting Unit at the National Treasury, and John Maina Muriithi, a Senior Accountant at the National Treasury.
The list further includes Gladys Juliet Oroni, also identified as Gladys Juliet, who is described as the proprietor of Mawindo Enterprises, Brigs Agencies and Green Basil Agencies.
Brian Kiprop Chepkarat, proprietor of El Konyita Technologies, is also among the accused persons.
Others are Ian Kwemoi Chepkarat, listed as a director of O20 Investments Limited and Vidi Vici Limited; Josephat Kamau Kamoshe, director of Blue Dart Agencies Limited; James Omwodo Ndai, proprietor of Ednas Agencies, Prozepp Technologies and Steeren Enterprises; and Jimmy Carter Odoyo Osodo, proprietor of Cadic Investments.
The DPP said the decision to prosecute followed consideration of the evidence contained in the inquiry file submitted by the anti-corruption agency.
The case centres on funds allocated to the PROFIT programme, which was established to coordinate rural outreach initiatives involving financial innovation and technologies.
The prosecution approval marks the next stage in the legal process, with the suspects expected to face the charges before a court.
The offences cited by the DPP include abuse of office and unlawful acquisition of public property, as well as financial misconduct and alleged money laundering.
The inclusion of charges relating to the acquisition of proceeds of crime indicates that investigators are pursuing not only the alleged loss of public funds but also how the funds were allegedly handled.
The DPP's decision follows the EACC investigation into the financial dealings surrounding the programme and the officials and private individuals named in the inquiry.
The anti-corruption agency is expected to present the suspects before court, where the prosecution will formally set out the charges against them.
The suspects will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations in court.
The approval to prosecute does not amount to a finding of guilt, and the accused persons remain innocent until proven guilty through due process of law.
The case is likely to draw renewed attention to the management of public funds and oversight of government programmes, particularly those involving large allocations and partnerships with private entities.