NAIROBI, Kenya — Eight officials from Kenya Power have been acquitted in a case involving the alleged fraudulent payment of Ksh159 million linked to irregularly awarded contracts.
Delivering the ruling, trial magistrate C.N. Ondieki cleared all eight accused persons, citing insufficient evidence to support the charges brought against them.
Those acquitted include former General Manager of Networks Daniel Tare, General Manager of Supply Chain Daniel Muga, and former Finance Manager Harun Karisa.
Also cleared were tender committee members Benard Muturi, Evelyne Amondi, Noah Omondi, John Njehia, and James Muriuki.
The prosecution had accused the group of orchestrating the irregular award of contracts, allegedly leading to the loss of public funds.
However, the court ruled that the evidence presented did not meet the legal threshold required to sustain a conviction, effectively bringing the case to a close.
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The case is part of a series of high-profile investigations into procurement practices within state-linked entities in Kenya, where concerns over accountability and transparency have remained central to public debate.
Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) has in recent years faced scrutiny over procurement processes, operational inefficiencies, and financial management, prompting calls for reforms within the energy sector.
Analysts note that acquittals in complex financial crime cases often hinge on the quality of investigative evidence and the ability of prosecutors to establish direct culpability.
The outcome is likely to renew debate around the effectiveness of anti-corruption enforcement and prosecution standards in Kenya’s public sector.
