This archive report was first published on 9 July 2019.
Published on July 9, 2019, West Pokot County officials are facing graft charges for inflating maize prices in the region.
Dr. Mike Kiptoo Perkilea, the County Secretary, and four others were arrested on Monday morning over the alleged irregular purchase of 20,000 bags of maize worth Ksh.90 million.
The accused, including Titus Toroitich Mayech (Finance officer), Elvis Mwanga (ICT), Alice Chepkosgei (Procurement Officer), and Joseph Lolemtum (Evaluation Committee member), appeared before Eldoret Senior Chief Magistrate Charles Obulutsa.
They faced 18 counts of allegedly failing to comply with tendering laws, delivering dry maize without a list of pre-qualified suppliers, and other malpractices.
The accused's lawyer, Peter Wanyama, argued that they would not interfere with witnesses and were not a flight risk, asking the court to grant them bail.
However, the magistrate ordered the four to remain in custody pending the bail ruling on July 15, 2019.
