Four Taita Taveta County officials charged with corruption have strongly protested a social media post by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), claiming it misrepresented their case.
The officials, Thomas Jumwa, Liverson Mghendi, Christine Wakera, and Leonard Langat, denied charges of fraud at the county level. The controversy arose after EACC posted on social media that the accused were facing charges for swindling KSh 7 million, a figure the defendants contested in court, stating the actual amount listed in the charge sheet was KSh 4 million.
Through their lawyer, John Bwire, the four accused argued that the EACC post was false and malicious, portraying them as guilty before a fair trial. Bwire urged the court to restrain the EACC from posting misleading information, emphasizing that the exaggerated figure in the post could cause unnecessary alarm and prejudice.
EACC had earlier stated that the senior county officials had been arrested on charges of stealing public funds under the pretense of commemorating the First World War, a claim the defendants refuted. The charges included abuse of office, forgery, engaging in projects without prior planning, conspiracy to commit corruption, and uttering false documents.
Thomas Jumwa, who served as an economic advisor to the governor, Secretary, County Chief Officer in charge of Trade, Tourism and Cooperatives Development, and Acting Chief Finance Officer, was accused of spearheading a fraudulent project under the guise of commemorating World War I between November 24 and 27, 2022. He, along with the others, denied all charges.
State counsel Peter Kiprop did not oppose their release on bond, but the court noted that Jumwa faced eight separate charges. Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku granted Jumwa a cash bail of KSh 500,000, while his co-accused—Liverson, Christine, and Leonard—were each released on KSh 200,000 cash bail.
The case will be mentioned on November 7, 2024.
