Nine senior National Treasury officials, company directors and proprietors have pleaded not guilty to 121 charges linked to the alleged embezzlement of up to Sh1.5 billion from the Programme for Rural Outreach of Financial Innovation and Technology (PROFIT).
The accused appeared before Anti-Corruption Magistrate Rose Ndobi in Nairobi, where they denied charges including abuse of office, unlawful acquisition of public property, uttering a false document, financial misconduct, acquisition of proceeds of crime and multiple counts of money laundering.
Those charged include National Treasury Head of Accounting Unit Nemwel Moturi Motanya, PROFIT Programme Coordinator John Ngure Kabutha and Senior Accountant John Maina Muriithi.
Others are business proprietors and directors Gladys Juliet Oroni, Brian Kiprop Chepkarat, Ian Kwemoi Chepkarat, James Omwodo Ndai, Jimmy Carter Odoyo Osodo and Josphat Kamau Kamoshe.
The Director of Public Prosecutions said the 121 charges arose from the alleged misappropriation of public funds under the PROFIT programme.
Through their lawyers, the accused sought favourable bail and bond terms, citing health concerns and the nature of the charges they face.
Prosecutors, led by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Alex Akula, urged the court to exercise its discretion in setting appropriate bail and bond terms.
The prosecution noted that following the formal charging, the individuals were no longer suspects but accused persons before the court and were therefore subject to bail and bond conditions determined by the court.
After considering the nature of the offences and the amounts involved, the court granted varying terms.
Kabutha was granted a Sh10 million bond or Sh5 million cash bail, while Motanya and Muriithi were each granted Sh5 million bonds or Sh2 million cash bail.
Oroni received the highest terms of Sh20 million bond or Sh10 million cash bail. The other accused were granted bonds ranging from Sh1 million to Sh10 million, with corresponding cash bail options.
The court ordered all the accused to surrender their passports and barred them from leaving its jurisdiction as the case proceeds.
The matter will be mentioned on 2 September 2026, while warrants of arrest will be issued for any accused persons who were absent during plea-taking.