Lari MP Jonah Mburu arrested for misappropriation of NG-CDF funds amounting to Kshs27 million

Lari MP Jonah Mburu has on Friday September 4 been arrested by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) following the conclusion of investigations by the anti-graft body into the alleged misuse of funds from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) kitty amounting to Kshs. 27 million.

The Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji approved the charges against the MP and five others including members of the CDF committee and suppliers, in a move that prompted EACC to make the arrest.

“Hon Jonah Mburu Mwangi and Lari CDF officials, in conflict of interest, received public funds from businesses that traded with Lari NG-CDF,” Haji said in a statement.

“Hon Jonah Mburu Mwangi the patron of Lari NG-CDF through Pambazuko Distributors Limited received benefits from Oshoann General Merchants and Oshland Green ventures, a business entity that was trading with Lari NG-CDF,” Haji’s statement further revealed.

The DPP listed the MP alongside his company Pambazuko Distributors Limited, Ayaan Mahadhi an accounts Manager of the CDF, Peter Mugo Mwangi (CDF Chairman and proprietor of two firms), Francis Gachoka Kimuyu (CDF Clerk who is also a director of Kimondo and Sons General Supplies).

The MP and the CDF officials are accused of conflict of interest, by letting their companies trade with the constituency fund.

Haji said they will face charges of conspiracy to commit corruption, conflict of interest, abuse of office, willful failure to comply with procurement laws, dealing with suspect property and acting without authorization.

Last week Malindi MP Aishwa Jumwa was also arrested and arraigned alongside seven members of the Malindi CDF committee for alleged misuse of Kshs. 57.7 million from the CDF kitty. She denied the charges and was released on a Kshs. 2 million cash bail or an alternative bond of Kshs 5 million.