EACC wants former NYS Director Nelson Githinji prosecuted

The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) has recommended that the former Director General of the National Youth Service (NYS) Dr Nelson Gitau Githinji be charged with abuse of office, conspiracy to defraud and fraudulent acquisition of public property.

Others recommended to be charged alongside him include the former Chief Inspector of NYS and Personal Assistant to the Director General Nicholas Juma Makokha and former Senior Superintendent Mechanic at the NYS Geoffrey Kimani Kiriha.

This is after an inquiry into the allegations against the former Director General of the NYS for abuse of office by servicing and maintaining a privately owned vehicle registration No. KBS 475S at the expense of NYS at a cost of Ksh 497,335 paid by the NYS.

Githinji is already facing other fraud charges.

On November 16^th 2015, Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko ordered the prosecution of Devolution PS Peter Mangiti, National Youth Service (NYS) Director General Nelson Githinji and businessman Benson Muchemi over allegations of fraud at NYS.

In a statement to media houses, Tobiko accused the three of tampering with a public officer by trying to prevent NYS Senior Deputy Director General in Charge of Administration, Adan Harakhe, from reporting the loss of Sh695,400,000 to the directorate of criminal investigations.

The DPP also accused the three of threatening and intimidating Harakhe with unspecified consequences if he proceeded to withdraw from the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS).

Tobiko also ordered the prosecution of 23 Devolution Ministry officials for allegedly stealing and conspiring to defraud NYS of the sum of S791,385,000, contrary to section 317 of the Penal Code.

On November 24^th 2015, Githinji and Mangiti were charged with tempering with public officers by threatening and intimidating NYS Senior Deputy Director General Adan Harakhe against reporting the loss of Sh695 million to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

At the same time, 23 others were charged with conspiring to defraud NYS of Sh791 million, engaging in organised criminal activity, abuse of office and breach of trust.

The trial of the 25 National Youth Service (NYS) officers charged with fraud was set for March 23 to March 25^th 2016.