Suspect in Ksh.102M NCPB maize scam fails to take plea again

One of the suspects in the multimillion National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) maize scandal who has been ailing failed to take plea again on Thursday at a Kisumu court.

Carolyne Kipchumba has been receiving treatment at a hospital in Nairobi, according to her advocate Richard Onsongo.

She is now set to take plea on February 12, 2019.

Kisumu Senior Resident Magistrate Winfred Onkunya directed her to deposit Ksh.100,000 police bond at the Kisumu Central Police Station.

SRM Onkunya further directed that her case be consolidated with that of another accused person who will also appear on the same day for mention of the case before Chief Magistarte Julius Ng’arng’ar.

Kipchumba is accused of fraudulently Ksh.102,660,426 from the NCPB Kisumu silo through irregular supply of maize.

The offence is alleged to have taken place between October 8, 2017 and March 20, 2018.

Ten other suspects in the NCPB maize saga are out on Ksh.5million bond each and are set to appear before court on February 12 this year.

The suspects are facing charges that include conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption, wilful failure to comply with laws and procedures relating to the management of public funds, abuse of office, dealing with suspect property, unlawful acquisition of public property, among others.