Just like Eunice Kabura was the face of NYS season I, the Ngirita family has been the face NYS Season II in which more than sh eight billion of taxpayers’ money ended up in the wrong accounts.
According to details, Ann, Lucy, Phyllis and Jeremiah Ngirita are believed to have receive close to sh 918 million of the entire loot.
But how did they do it? Here are the details.
Prosecutors have filed documents in court, which, they allege, show a well-oiled machine involving junior employees all the way up to the Public Service and Youth Principal Secretary, Ms Lilian Omollo.
In their opening statements, prosecutors alleged that Ms Omollo is linked to one of the firms, Sakata Ltd, which they said, was still being investigated.
By use of documents before Nairobi chief magistrate Douglas Ogoti, the prosecutors allege that low-level NYS employees falsified entries to show that members of the Ngirita family from Naivasha supplied goods, and then allegedly pushed the claims to their superiors for approval.
In some instances, prosecutors argued, payment claims were backdated to ensure money was quickly processed and released to the Ngiritas.
“Your honour, we shall demonstrate that the perpetrators’ extent of fraud was incomprehensible, inconceivable and unethical to a point where documents were backdated and doctored to look like they were genuine and then sneaked in for payments for the ‘supply of air’ without any colour of right or shame,” the prosecutors said.
The claims would be approved by senior officials rather fast, and with no questions asked, prosecutors said.
Ann, Lucy, Phyllis and Jeremiah Ngirita have been charged with conspiracy to commit corruption, fraudulent acquisition of public property and money laundering.
All 35 individuals, while facing unique charges specific to their alleged role, are also facing a common count of conspiracy to commit corruption.
But Lucy Ngirita is facing three counts of conspiracy to commit corruption, since she has been charged in her personal capacity and as the owner of Waluco and Ngiwacho enterprises.