Parliamentary staff members (from L-R) Benjamin Njagi Kagutu, George Omondi Arun,David mulinge Kithua, Aloys Nyambariga Tinega, Keith Musyoki Kisinguh, Mary Gathigia Kanyiha and Obundo Samuel Otieno at a milimani law court where they pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiring to commit a Felony namely stealing over Sh 70 million from the parliament of kenya. They were each released on a Sh1 million bond or a cash bail Sh300,000. PHOTO.GEORGE NJUNG'E

Seven Parliament employees accused of conspiracy to steal over Sh70 million have been charged at a Nairobi court.

Obudo Samwel Otieno, Mary Gathigia Kanyiha, Keith Musyoki Kisinguh, Aloys Nyambariga Tinega, David Mulinge Kithua, George Omondi Arun and Benjamin Njagi Kagutu denied the charges before Milimani Chief Magistrate Daniel Ogembo.

The court heard that the accused committed the act on diverse dates between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2015 at Parliament buildings jointly with others not before the court.

It is alleged that they conspired to steal Sh70,624,900 from Parliament.

Kanyiha, Kisinguh and Tinega were accused that on diverse dates from January 1, 2014, being persons employed in the public service as deputy director finance and accounts, principal procurement officer and procurement assistant respectively, they arbitrarily directed the procurement of assorted of assorted printing toners all valued at Sh70,624,900.

On the last count, Otieno, Kithua, Arun and Kagutu were accused that on similar dates, being persons employed in the public service as director finance and accounting, principal finance officer, deputy director internal audit and accountant (III) respectively, they arbitrarily directed the payment of assorted printing toners all valued at Sh70,624,900.

The accused faced several other counts of abuse of office. They denied the charges before Chief Magistrate Daniel Ogembo and were released on a Sh1 million bond and one surety of similar amount or a cash bail of Sh300,000. The defence through lawyer James Ochieng Oduol applied for favourable bond terms on the grounds that the accused are Kenyan citizens and are not fright risk.

"I pray that the court retains the terms that the accused were granted on the first day they appeared in court because they have been cooperating," said Oduol.

Prosecutor Daniel Karuri did not oppose their application for bail but urged the court to consider the magnitude of the offence and enhance bail terms. "The offence is of serious nature and the bond term of Sh1 million or a cash bail of Sh300,000 should be enhanced," he said. The case will be heard on January 26, 2016.