Bomet Governor Hillary Kipng’eno Barchok has been arraigned before the Anti-Corruption Court to face charges of conflict of interest, acquisition, and use of proceeds of crime amounting to Sh2 million.
The prosecution alleges that Barchok irregularly benefited from contracts awarded to Chemasus Construction Limited by the County Government of Bomet. Court records indicate that between November 14, 2019, and March 10, 2021, he acquired an indirect private interest of Sh2 million from contracts for road maintenance and equipment hire.
According to investigators, the funds were deposited into Barchok’s Equity Bank account by Chemasus Construction Limited. He is further accused of transferring and spending portions of the money while knowing, or having reason to believe, that the funds were proceeds of crime.
Court documents show that on March 15, 2021, he moved Sh300,000 between his accounts, followed by another transfer of Sh314,000 on March 20. On the same day, he allegedly transferred Sh100,000 to a different account. Later, on March 29, 2021, he reportedly wired Sh750,000 to one Morris Munene Kinyua.
In addition, Barchok, together with Evans Kipkoech Korir and Chemasus Construction Limited, faces a money laundering charge for allegedly arranging the transfer of Sh2 million from the contractor’s bank account into his own in a bid to conceal the source of the funds.
Barchok denied the charges. His lawyer, Issa Mansour, sought his release on bond, insisting that he is not a flight risk. Mansour told the court that the governor learned about the case while abroad and cut short his trip to return and face the charges.
“The accused voluntarily surrendered to the EACC after learning from the media that he had been summoned, thereby saving the commission from spending resources to track him down,” Mansour said.
Evans Kipkoech, represented by lawyer Julius Anyoka, also presented himself to the EACC on September 1 to record a statement. Anyoka informed the court that his client, a dairy farmer from Kericho, had to take a boda boda to the EACC offices due to traffic congestion.
“I urge the court to consider Korir’s determination to face justice, demonstrated by his effort to ride on a boda boda when he learned he was being sought,” Anyoka said.
Prosecutor Vincent Monda did not oppose the bail application but requested that the accused be barred from commenting publicly on the case or interfering with witnesses. He further urged that they should not leave the court’s jurisdiction without permission.
