By Staff Reporter
The case against former National Museums of Kenya (NMK) Director-General Dr Mzalendo Kibunjia and four co-accused is set for hearing today at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court in Nairobi.
The suit seeks the recovery of hundreds of Shs441.3 million allegedly siphoned from the museum’s payroll through payments to ghost employees, with the funds ultimately benefiting the accused.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) have charged the five with offences including conspiracy to commit corruption, abuse of office, money laundering, unlawful acquisition of public property, and financial misconduct.
The accused, as named in court records, are Dr Mzalendo Kibunjia; Stanvas Ongalo Opija, the former Director of Human Resources and Administration; Oliver Okinyi Rabuor, a payroll ICT officer; Wycliffe Odhiambo Ongata, a payroll accountant; and a private individual, Oscar Mwaura. All pleaded not guilty when first arraigned.
Court documents indicate that the scheme ran for several years and involved payments to individuals who were not actual NMK employees. Investigators allege the fraud occurred between 2016 and early 2022. It involved adding fictitious employees to the museum’s payroll and disbursing salaries and gratuities to accounts controlled by intermediaries or the accused officers.
An earlier EACC probe identified more than 100 suspected ghost workers. Prosecutors further allege that some of the accused used company names to launder the diverted funds.
Lawyers for both sides have previously indicated they will rely on documentary payroll records, bank transfer trails, and EACC investigative reports.