Mwendwa now charged with Sh38m fraud claim
Suspended Football Kenya Federation President Nick Mwendwa was finally charged yesterdaay with four counts of economic crimes offences relating to the loss over Sh38 million at the federation.
He pleaded to the charges after Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Eunice Nyutu rejected his attempt to block his prosecution. He denied four charges including conspiracy to defraud and fraudulent acquisition of property.
The embattled FKF boss was released on a Sh15 million bond with two sureties of similar amount or a cash bail of Sh10 million.
Nyutu, however, warned Mwendwa against accessing the federation’s office.
She also ordered him to deposit his passport in court.
Embattled FKF boss was warned against interfering with any of the prosecution witnesses either directly or indirectly through his proxies.
Mwendwa was restrained from discussing the case either in print or electronic media until it is heard and determined.
Prosecution alleges that between April 16 and May 31 this year, at unknown place within the country, Mwendwa jointly with others not before court, conspired to commit an economic offence to defraud the federation Sh29,502,709.
He is further accused that on May 15, at an unknown place within the Republic of Kenya, jointly with others not before court, he fraudulently acquired public property worth Sh2.5 million belonging to the federation.
He is further accused of fraudulent acquisition of property amounting to Sh5 million and another Sh1 million between March 4 and May 6 respectively.
Economic crimes
Mwendwa, through his lawyer Eric Mutua, urged the court to release him on lenient bail terms, saying he will abide by all conditions set by the court.
“The accused has demonstrated that he is willing to appear as and when ordered to. There is no demonstration that Mwendwa is a flight risk,” Mutua said.
Prosecution, through Evelyne Onunga, did not oppose his release on bail but urged the court to consider the nature of the offences he faces.
“These are economic crimes that affect sports and culture of the youth. From the charge sheet, the amount involved is about Sh35 million. We would like the court to take this into consideration while granting him bail,” said Onunga.
Mwendwa has been in custody at the Gigiri Police Station since Friday afternoon.
Case will be mentioned on December 20.
