Bomet Governor Barchok denies 7 related graft charges
By Zipporah Ngwatu, September 2, 2025Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok, together with his co-accused Evans Kipkoech Korir and Chemasus Construction Limited, has pleaded not guilty to seven different charges linking them to corruption.
Appearing before Milimani Anti-Corruption Magistrate Zipporah Gichana on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, Governor Barchok denied knowingly receiving an indirect private interest of Ksh2 million emanating from a road maintenance contract.
According to the charge sheet, the county boss is said to have received the said amount between November 14, 2019, and March 10, 2021, money that had been paid to Chemasus Construction Company, which had been awarded a tender to maintain Kimenderit-Kotoibek-Olbutyo Bridge Road.
In another count, the Bomet governor is accused of acquiring proceeds of crimes contrary to section 4(a) as read with section 16 of the Proceeds of Crime and Act, CAP 59B.
“On or about March 10, 2021, within the Republic of Kenya, being the governor of Bomet, you acquired a sum of Ksh2,000,000 from Chemasus Construction Limited whilst having reason to believe the said monies formed proceeds of a crime,” part of the charge sheet read.
More charges
The governor has also been charged with the use of proceeds of crime by transacting Ksh 300,000 between his two accounts whilst having reason to believe that the said monies are from proceeds of crime since the money came from a Bomet County contractor.
Lawyer Issa Mansur, representing the governor, urged the court to release his client on lenient terms, stating that he has been cooperating with the investigators.
Additionally, lawyer Masur told the court that the county boss is not a flight risk and he has well-known fixed abodes.
However, the prosecution, led by counsel Vincent Monda, did not object to the accused being released on bail terms, but he noted that the court must issue strict terms to them.
Magistrate Zipporah Gichana released Governor Barchok on a Ksh15 million bond or an alternative of Ksh5 million cash bail.
Korir, the co-accused, has also been freed on a bond of Ksh5 million with an alternative cash bail of Ksh2 million.
Notably, the magistrate issued a warning to accused persons not to contact or in any way interfere with prosecution witnesses by themselves or through proxies.
She also ordered the accused to deposit their passports in court within seven days, adding that they should not leave the country without court approval.
The matter will be mentioned on September 17, 2025, for further directions.