Former Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala was arrested last week by anti-graft detectives. This was follows allegations that the Tourism Fund fraudulently paid KES 8.5 billion to set up the Coast branch of Kenya Utalii College (later renamed Ronald Ngala Utalii College) at the time he was a CS.
In a recent development in the case, ten of the remaining suspects in the Kenya Utalii College case were charged on Thursday before Malindi Law Courts. They were presented before Chief Magistrate James Mwaniki, where they pleaded not guilty.
According to investigations, Rea Vipingo Company Limited donated the land on which the college was to be built, and the Tourism Fund illegally paid KES 8.5 billion for the setting up of a satellite Utalii College in the coast region.
The 10 include Allan Chenane, Joseph Rotich Cherutoi, Norah Mukuna, Eden Odhiambo, Ruth Sande, George Muya Njoroge, Morris Gitonga Njue, Dominic Motanya, Rebman Malala, and James Mwangi Wairagu.
The defense counsels, however, requested a reasonable bond for their suspects, which the prosecution did not oppose.
The magistrate gave the suspect bonds as follows:
Allan Chenane and Joseph Rotich were released on a bond of KES 2 million with surety or a cash bail of KES 600,000.
Norah Mukuna, Eden Odhiambo, Ruth Sande, and George Muya Njoroge were released on a bond of KES 750,000 with surety or a cash bill of KES 300,000.
Morris Gitonga Njue, Dominic Motanya, James Mwangi Wairagu, and Rebman Malala were released on a bond of KES 3,000,000 with surety or a cash bill of KES 800,000.
The 8th accused, Florah Ngina Ngonze, was represented by a lawyer who informed the court that she could not attend the court since she was admitted to the hospital.
The court has also issued summonses for Nancy Siboe and Joseph Karanja Ndung’u, who did not appear in court.
The case will be mentioned on January 11, 2024.
