Former youth Enterprise Development Fund Chief Executive Officer Juma Mwangala Mwatata escorted by a police officer to the cells after he was charged with corruption at Milimani law courts on Wednesday May 15, 2015.
BY SAM ALFAN.
The government has hatched an onslaught against former Chief officer of Youth Enterprise Development Fund Juma Mwangala Mwatata saying he officiated massive looting of youth money.
Through the office of the DPP, the state in submissions filed by Senior Principal Prosecution Counsel Mr Fredrick Shimosi, said that from the evidence produced in court, it was crystal clear that Mwatata failed to comply with the law relating to management of public funds and authorized the supply of Hatching machine worth Sh208, 530.,000
The alleged illegal transaction was with a company, Connete Technologies and was signed in 2012 for the delivery, installation and commissioning of 1,050 hatching machines.
Evidence by former chairman of the fund Mr Evans Gor Semelango and James Gitau Singh shows that approvals to pay the cash was sought and given by the board as required by law.
“This was clear breach of section 6(a) of YEDF which vests the board with management and administration of the fund and therefore former CEO committed an offence” Mr Shitambasi says.
He added that despite the fact that the contract was executed by the company, the approval by the board was requisite and therefore the accused improperly conferred a benefit to Connete Technologies limited.
The contract was executed and payment of 50 per cent approved on the same day on 16 August 2012 before the bidder furnished advance payment bond.
Mr Shitambasi also said that prosecution witnesses evidence showed that the hatcheries are still lying in stores at Kasarani stadium and the project was not viable as the fund did not recover its money.
The accused was charged with three counts of willful failure to comply with laws governing the management of public funds, abuse of office contrary to section46 of the Anti- Corruption Economic Crime Act of 2003.
Mwatata was also charged with engaging in a project without prior planing contrary to section 45(2) of the Anti- Corruption Economic Crime Act.