NYS Storekeeper Unable To Explain Source Of His Sh227M Wealth

A National Youth Service (NYS) storekeeper was hard-pressed to explain how he acquired a high-end vehicle and a property valued at Sh200 million in Ruiru.

David Mbogo Muthee who has worked for NYS for 16 years was at pains to explain how he acquired a Lexus Hybrid, Range Rover Sport and the property in Ruiru.

The public servant was testifying in the trial of where former Gender and Youth PS Lillian Omolo and 30 other people have been charged with fraud and loss of funds at the state agency.

Omollo has been charged alongside several civil servants who worked at NYS and business people including Anne Ngirita over the loss of Sh226.9 million at NYS.

Muthee told the court that he has earned his wealth through genuine businesses.

He told the trial court that he never came into contact with LPOs or account documents in the course of his work.

He told the anti-corruption court that on May 23, 2018 he received a call from one Mula from the DCI headquarters, asking him to record a statement in respect of a LPO book series 2581851 to 2581900.

Muthee told the court that on April 5, 2016 he was called by a former senior official at NYS Evans Kundu, requesting him to pass by the college accountant’s office in Nairobi, when he planned to visit his family in the city and pick a document for him.

“On April 6, 2016 I passed by Kagiri’s office who confirmed to me that he had been requested by Kundu for an LPO and that the commandant had authorized for the issuance of the same,” he said.

He told the magistrate that Kagiri recorded the issuance of the said LPO in the counterfoil receipt book register (CRB) and indicated to him where he (Muthee) was to sign.

“Upon arrival at the NYS headquarters I met Mr Kundu in his office where I gave him the book which was sealed by Mr Kagiri and proceeded to see my family,” said Muthee.

Ngirita, who is the main trader in the trial is accused of receiving millions from NYS for supplying air.

The businesswoman has been in remand since last February after the man who stood her surety in 2018 when she was charged, withdrew as a surety. She is yet to get an alternative surety and has been attending trial from Lang’ata Women prison.

She has been charged together with her mother, her two sisters and a host of former civil servants accused of facilitating the theft of millions from NYS.

Anne had indicated of joining politics but her ambition was cut-short when Jubilee party rejected her as a candidate.

David’s case borders with that of one Bernard Masiga Ayienga,

a senior finance officer at the Public Service ministry under whose scope the NYS operates attracted the attention of investigators because of his lavish lifestyle and love for finer things in life despite remaining in employment for a gross salary of Sh161,800 a month.

Mr Ayienga: On the right is the compound of the what he described on social media as his Karen home. He belongs to job group P and earns a gross salary of between Sh133,940 and Sh161,800 per month, including allowances

While his case is active in court, Masiga is said to have been using his wide connections to seal it off, at one point when there was a dragnet laid to arrest him, he bribed his way out, he even bragged about bribing police with Sh1M.