This archive report was first published on 25 June 2020.
On June 25, 2020, Sirisia MP John Waluke and his co-accused Grace Wakhungu appeared at the Milimani Law Courts for sentencing in the Sh314 million National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) maize scandal.
The two face the possibility of a maximum 10-year jail term, with the MP also at risk of losing his parliamentary seat if sentenced to more than six months in prison.
Earlier this week, Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Juma cancelled their bail terms after issuing a guilty verdict, and they were subsequently locked up at Kileleshwa Police Station.
The scandal revolves around Erad Supplies & General Contracts Ltd, a company owned by the two, which was paid Sh314 million by the NCPB after they accused the agency of breaching a contract in 2004.
According to a letter from the Agriculture ministry dated July 19, 2004, the NCPB was instructed to purchase two million bags of maize for famine relief and the Strategic Grain Reserve.
However, the NCPB allegedly cancelled the tender for lack of funds, and the firm went on to win an award for the supply of 40,000 metric tonnes of maize.
Ms Juma ruled that the prosecution had proved all the charges against the two, including presenting a false invoice of $1,146,000 (Sh115,072,725) on February 24, 2009, as evidence in an arbitration dispute between the company and the NCPB.
