By Viola Kosome
Three former Siaya County Government officials, who were found guilty of defrauding the local administration of Ksh14.9 million in March 2019, have been sentenced to a maximum of three years in jail, or, alternatively, pay Ksh1 million in fine.
The trio was sentenced on Friday, September 4 by Kisumu Senior Principal Magistrate Robinson Ondieki.
Two of the three will serve one year in jail each; should they fail to post fine, while the third one will spend three years behind bars without an option of fine.
The convicts are: Kepha Marube (former Siaya County Executive Secretary), Zakayo Ojuok (ex-Head of Procurement at Siaya County Government) and Tobias Odongo (former Director of Chain Management).
On Tuesday, September 1 Senior Principal Magistrate Ondieki, in his ruling, said the State had proven its case beyond any reasonable doubt in two counts against the suspects.
In count one, Marube and Oloo were charged with failing to ensure that prescribed procurement procedures were followed in the tender and purchasing, supply and installation of assorted sports equipment.
In count five, Ojuok was charged with forgery where he is said to have, between May 1, 2014 and November 30, 2014 within Siaya County, made a false document to witness the minutes of the county tender committee award purportedly held on May 16, 2014.
The meeting that never happened led to a contract award to M/S Samco Traders Limited for purchase, supply and installation of assorted facilities at Ksh14.9 million.
Appearing before the court on Thursday, September 3 for mitigation, the convicts’ lawyers pleaded with the court to issue lenient sentences on their clients.
Stephen Madialo, who represented Odongo, told the court that his client diligently served Siaya County Government, and that he has never, until the last case, faced any fraud-related charges.
Senior Principal Magistrate Ondieki sentenced Odongo (ex-director, chain management) and Marube (ex-county executive secretary) to one year in jail each; with an option of Ksh1 million fine each, while Ojuok (ex-head of procurement) was imprisoned for three years without an option of fine.
The three have 14 days to appeal the ruling.
