Migori Governor Zachary Okoth Obado, his four children and 11 others were on Thursday charged with a litany of offences.
They were charged that on diverse dates between October 29, 2014, and October 18, 2016, and within Migori County they jointly conspired to steal Sh73 million public funds.
The 16 accused, who include the governor’s two sons and two daughters, faced a total of 28 counts ranging from money laundering, conflict of interest, conspiracy to commit an economic crime and fraud.
On conflict of interest, Governor Obado is alleged to have on diverse dates in the two-year period knowingly held an indirect private interest in the contract between Migori County and Misoft Ltd.
Through the firm, Obado’s daughter Susan Scarlet is said to have received a sum of Sh5 million while her brothers Dan and Jerry got Sh2 million.
The DPP told the court that on the count of money laundering that the accused entered into an arrangement for the transfer of Sh256 million to Jared Peter Odoyo, funds that were paid to the over dozen companies linked to the theft.
The suspects, who appeared before Nairobi Chief Magistrate Lawrence Mugambi, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecution immediately applied to have the suspects denied bail, telling the court that they are likely to interfere with witnesses.
