NITA boss Stephen Ogenga charged over tender scam

The Director General of the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), Stephen Ogenga and three others, including a limited company, have been charged in Milimani Anti-Corruption Court over their alleged involvement in a corruption scandal.

The court heard that between 31st January 2019 and 29th March 2019, Ogenga being the Director General of the National Training Authority, improperly conferred a benefit of Ksh. 4,800,654 to Xponics Limited by authorizing payments to the said company in respect of the tender for the supply, delivery, installation, commissioning, training, service, maintenance, and repair of sewing and training machines.

Three others, Xponics Limited, James Waweru and Sheila Wambui Nyakinyua were charged separately with fraudulent accusation of public property, to wit Ksh. 10,189,064.69, by presenting a falsified bid to ensure an unfair advantage in respect to the tender.

Xponics Limited, James Waweru and Sheila Wambui Nyakinyua were charged with an additional count of fraudulent practice contrary to Sections 66(1) and (2) of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015.

The particulars are that between 31st December 2016 and 20th June 2018, being a limited liability company and its directors respectively, they engaged in fraudulent practice by submitting a bid in respect of tender No. NITA/12/2017-201 for the supply, delivery, installation, commissioning, training, maintenance, and repair of sewing machines for the financial years 2017 and 2018.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges before Zipporah Gichana and were granted a Ksh3 million bond with a surety of a similar amount with an alternative cash bail of Ksh 1 million each.

The court directed accused persons to deposit their passports at the court registry and not interfere with witnesses.

The court also directed Paul Kipsang Kosgei, former NITA Director General, who was absent in court, to appear in court on Wednesday 5th June 2024 for plea taking.

Principal Prosecution Counsel, Wesley Nyamache had urged the court to order the accused persons to deposit their passports in court and warn them not to interfere with witnesses, who would be disclosed at an appropriate time.

The case is scheduled for pretrial on 19th June 2024.