Okemo turns down Uhuru job offer at Kenya Seed Company

NAIROBI: Former Cabinet Minister Chris Okemo has declined his appointment as the Chairman of Kenya Seed Company.

Mr Okemo, who thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta for the appointment, turned down the offer, arguing that he was facing extradition charges and has to clear his name before taking up any public appointment.

"I wish to sincerely thank His Excellency the President and the Government for considering me for the appointment. However, considering my case seeking to annul and quash the frivolous and baseless request for extradition, this will not be an opportune time to enter public service," the statement read in part.

Jersey Island is seeking to have Okemo extradited over money laundering allegations but he has filed an application seeking to quash the request.

The former Cabinet minister said his innocence needed to be established before he takes up any public office appointment.

"I am indeed grateful for the consideration and once my innocence is established, I will be ready and willing to render public service to our beloved nation," said Okemo after holding consultations with his lawyer Fred Ngatia.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) last week sought the nullification of Okemo's appointment to the board of the company over integrity issues.

The commission had wanted Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei to cancel the appointment.

"There are pending extradition proceedings in court where the Government of the United Kingdom is seeking the extradition of the said person based on corruption allegations," read a statement from the commission in part.

Okemo is accused of defrauding the Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), now Kenya Power, Sh900 million and laundering the money in Jersey.

The Chief Justice of Jersey issued arrest warrants for Okemo and former KPLC Managing Director Samuel Gichuru over alleged concealing and transferring of the funds between 1986 and 2002.