Sirisia MP John Waluke was on Thursday charged at the Anti-Corruption Court – Milimani in relation to an alleged million dollar contract between Chelsea Freight and the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).
He was held at the Milimani basement cells before taken to court.
1/3 Two Directors of Erad Supplies & General Contracts Limited set to appear before Anti-Corruption Court –Milimani to face charges relating to an alleged contract amounting to US$ 1,146,000 between Chelsea Freight & National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB). #AntiCorruption_ODPP
— ODPP_KE (@ODPP_KE) August 2, 2018
Waluke faced the charges alongside Grace Wakhungu, according to a post by the ODPP on the official Twitter page. The two are directors of Erad Supplies and General Contracts Limited.
Waluke and Wakhungu are accused of fraudulently uttering a false invoice for $1,146,000 (Sh115,061,838) as evidence of an arbitration dispute between their company and the board.
2/3 Grace Sarapay Wakhungu and John Koyi Waluke are accused of fraudulently uttering a false invoice for the sum of US$ 1,146,000 as evidence of an arbitration dispute between their company and NCPB. #AntiCorruption_ODPP
— ODPP_KE (@ODPP_KE) August 2, 2018
The two allegedly acquired Sh297,386,505, purporting it to be the cost of storage of 40,000 metric tonnes of maize, as incurred by Chelsea Freight in loss of profits and interest.
Waluke denied four counts of fraudulent acquisition of public property.
3/3 The two, through their company are accused of fraudulently acquiring Ksh. 297,386,505/= purporting it to be the costs of storage of 40,000 metric tonnes of maize purportedly incurred by Chelsea Freight, loss of profits and interest. #AntiCorruption_ODPP
— ODPP_KE (@ODPP_KE) August 2, 2018
The Sirisia MP was cleared by the Kitale High Court in February after the court dismissed a petition that challenged his elections victory. Levi Makali of Ford Kenya party filed the case against his Jubilee rival following the national vote on August 8, 2017.
Makali, who filed the petition on September 6 that year, alleged massive malpractices and irregularities. He accused Waluke of bribing voters during campaigns and on the D-Day, wrong results transmission, issuance of two certificates and intimidation of voters
The petitioner had wanted Waluke’s victory declared null and void and orders issued for a fresh election.
Waluke, who is Jubilee Party chairman for Bungoma County, was declared the winner with 18,077 votes against Makali’s 9,669. His win was a big blow to Nasa co-principal Moses Wetangula and his Ford Kenya party.
The win left Ford Kenya party with only three MPs in the county. They are; Wafula Wamunyinyi of Kanduyi, Eseli Simiyu (Kimilili) and woman rep Catharine Wambilinga. Judge Antony Murima while dismissing the case said that the petitioner’s witnesses failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that their were irregularities that could amount to nullification.
In December last year the judge had called for a scrutiny of the ballot boxes in sixteen polling staions. Addressing the press after the ruling Waluke said that the courts had respected the will of the Sirisia resident’s. He said that he is going to work with Jubilee to foster development in the area.
Murima slapped the petitioner with six million costs.