The first batch of suspects linked to the Sh468 million theft at the National Youth Service starts Monday morning, with four still at large.
Warrants of arrest have been issued against Mr Charles Makau Mulandi, Mr Samuel Otieno, Mr Patrick Obunya and Mr Humphrey Odhiambo, all former NYS employees.
A fifth suspect, Ezekiel Ombasso Osoro, denied two counts before Senior Principal Magistrate Lucas Onyina during the pre-trial in August.
This was more than two months after the others appeared in court.
So far, some 51 suspects have been charged with the loss of the NYS money.
All the accused are out after signing a personal bond of Sh5 million, two sureties of Sh2 million and cash bail of Sh1 million, though some of them — especially junior civil servants — sought a review at the High Court and the amount was reduced.
Three magistrates are trying the suspects, who include former Youth and Gender Principal Secretary Lillian Omollo, former NYS Director-General Richard Ndubai and 28 former government officials.
[BUSINESS] Eight suspects in NYS scam become witnesses: Prosecution revises funds lost in corrupt deals from Sh468m to Sh8 billion. https://t.co/RpwdwdLXiP
— Breaking News (@News_Kenya) October 29, 2018
Ms Omollo tried to stop the case, but High Court Judge John Onyiego dismissed her petition.
The judge said the institution of charges is a prerogative of the DPP.
The former PS moved to the High Court accusing the DPP of violating her rights by lumping her case with 10 others that have more than 50 suspects.
She argued that there was a risk of delay in the event one of the accused persons absconds, falls ill or is absent from court for any reason.
Suspects still at large as NYS case resumes: So far, some 51 suspects have been charged with the loss of money. https://t.co/JChfkYzggd
— Breaking News (@News_Kenya) October 29, 2018
The prosecution also intends to call document examiners, officials from the National Treasury, who deal with the integrated financial management information system, contractors engaged by NYS and witnesses from the Public Procurement Oversight Authority.
The court heard that other than oral evidence, the prosecution would use statements from witnesses, electronic evidence and experts.
The former government officials appear in all the files, while traders, who reportedly benefited from the dealings at NYS, are in different files.