Four senior Taita Taveta county officials to face graft charges

From left: Thomas Jumwa, Liverson Mghendi, Christine Wakera and Leonard Langat at the Mombasa Law Courts. [Kelvin Karani, Standard]

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has approved the prosecution of four senior officials from Taita Taveta County on corruption charges.

In a statement on Wednesday, October 23, the ODPP submitted that Economic Advisor to the Governor Thomas Nyambu, former County Secretary Liverson Mgendi, former Chief Officer of Finance Christine Mwakera, and former Chief Officer for Trade, Tourism, and Co-operatives Development Leonard Lagat will face graft charges.

"After reviewing investigation files submitted by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the DPP decided to charge the four senior officials with corruption," the statement read.

The charges include conspiracy to commit corruption, engaging in a project without prior planning, unlawful acquisition of public property, falsifying documents, and willful failure to comply with expenditure procedures.

The ODPP further reaffirmed its commitment to upholding its constitutional duties in accordance with the rule of law.