By Peter Ochieng
National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) Director General, Stephen Ogenga, has been arrested over corruption allegations. He was nabbed by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Saturday.
Ogenga is accused of getting involved in the irregular award of a Sh28 million tender for the supply, installation, and maintenance of sewing and training machines during the 2017/2018 financial year.
“The Commission conducted investigations and upon conclusion, the Commission submitted the files to the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) who upon independent review concurred with the recommendation of the Commission to charge the suspects,” said EACC.
His wife, Elizabeth Ochieng was also arrested for reportedly trying to obstruct EACC officers. “In her case, appropriate action will be taken upon conclusion of the investigation,” EACC noted.
EACC says Ogenga will be arraigned on Monday, and is expected to be charged under various sections of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003, including conspiracy to commit corruption, abuse of office, and fraudulent acquisition of public property.
The Director General and the directors of Xponics Limited, James Waweru and Sheila Wambui Nyakinyua were also arrested today.
In November 2023, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei directed the suspension of six senior public officers, to pave way for investigations into corruption claims. Ogenga was among them.
Others were Fredrick Mwamati, the Chief Executive Officer of the Tanathi Water Works Development Agency, Stanvas Ong’alo, the Acting Director-General, National Museums of Kenya, Benjamin Kai Chilumo, the CEO of Huduma Centre Secretariat, Peter Gitaa Koria, the CEO/GM of Bomas of Kenya, and Eng. Anthony Wamukota, the General Manager of Design & Construction at Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO).
In the meantime, the Commission has directed another suspect, Paul Kipsang Kosgei who is yet to be arrested, to report to EACC Integrity Centre Building headquarters, on Monday 3rd June 2024, without fail.
Kosgei is a former Director General, NITA.