This archive report was first published on 28 October 2019.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has summoned former Kasarani Member of Parliament Elizabeth Ongoro to appear before the commission on Friday, October 25, 2019, over alleged loss of 48 million shillings.
According to the EACC, Ongoro is being investigated for her alleged role in the loss of funds, which is believed to have been mismanaged by officials of the Kasarani National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF).
Senior Principal Magistrate Lawrence Mugambi issued the summons after Ongoro failed to appear in court, despite eight other suspects being charged in connection with the alleged loss of funds.
Other allegations against Ongoro include failure to follow procurement laws by officials of the Kasarani NG-CDF in relation to the construction of a non-existent Kasarani Girls High School.
According to the EACC, the commission established that the award of the contract for the construction of the school was made without due regard to the procurement laws, and that payments were made to different individuals and companies associated with the National Government Constituency Development Fund patron and committee members for services not rendered.
Additionally, the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has alleged that Ongoro fraudulently acquired 4 million shillings from the Kasarani Girl's project management account as part of the money allocated for the construction of the school project.
However, Ongoro, who was set to be arraigned in court, failed to show up and instead informed the court through her lawyer that she is out of the country for treatment.
Meanwhile, other suspects, including former Kasarani CDF officials, denied six counts of graft charges, including the fraudulent acquisition of public property, engaging in a project without prior planning, dealing with suspect property, willful failure to comply with the law relating to procurement, and abuse of office.
The prosecution did not oppose bail but asked the court to issue stringent bond terms to the accused.
Anti-Corruption Senior Principal Magistrate Lawrence Mugambi released them on cash bail ranging between 1.5 million shillings to 2.5 million shillings, with Elizabeth Ongoro given until Friday this week to appear before the EACC.
