Ex-Museum boss Kibunja, four others released on Sh5m cash bail

Mzalendo Kibunja and 4 other at Milimani Law Court on April 16.[Collins Kweyu, Standard]

Former National Museums Director-General Mzalendo Kibunja and 4 others have pleaded not guilty to corruption charges.

The accused were arraigned in Milimani law court on April 16 to answer to ten counts including corruption and money laundering.

Kibunja, Stanvas Ongalo, Oliver Rabuor, Wyclife Ongata, and Oscar Mwaura were involved in a Sh.490m embezzlement.

According to a police report, the accused in their capacities as employees of the National Museum of Kenya back then, conspired to fraudulently pay ghost workers a sum of Sh.441,392,075.

Mwaura is said to have led the recruitment exercise of ghost workers between June 2016 and July 2022, who were then paid the sum which was later diverted into individual accounts.

Kibunja and four others were on Monday arrested by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) detectives.

Milimani Magistrate Victor Wakhulime released the accused persons on a bond of Sh10 million each with one surety of a similar amount or pay a cash bail of Sh5 million.

They have also been ordered to deposit their passports with the court and avoid any interference with the witnesses.

The case is set for mention on May 02.