Police finally haul Katelembo
directors to court amid backlash
By Anchor Reporters
INDIVIDUALS suspected to be architects of widespread theft of land and cash at the Katelembo Athiani Muputi Farmers’ Cooperative Society are facing a fight of their lives after police eventually hauled them to court.
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| A building belonging to one of the charged Katelembo directors |
But even as police posted key victory, agents that prop an army of corrupt officials have also made gains in their defenses after they managed to remove the police officer who has been pursuing the investigations.
And as we went to press, the Commissioner of Co-operatives Mr J. Odhiambo was yet to invoke the provisions of the law to prohibit the charged officials from running the affairs of the society, underlining the reality that graft at the society does not take place in a vacuum.
The investigator- Chief Inspector Bore who was commanding the Flying Squad on Mombasa Road and begun the investigations when working with CID in Machakos was edged out of the way by being fired upwards to be Deputy Kiambu CID boss, and leaving the investigations at the mercy of impunity.
It is a signal that indicates that strong hands in the police are party to the intrigues at Katelembo.
The suspects- Joseph Mutua Muinde, Daniel Mbithi Kasinga, Gregory Ngui Mutua, Jones Kavivya Nzau, Peter Mbithi Muli, John Ndua Nyamai, Joseph Muthama, Joseph Musau Kalunde face a litany of counts ranging from willful neglect to stealing by servant under Section 281 of the Penal Code.
Daniel Mbithi and Joseph Kalunde, it is alleged, on diverse dates between 2009 and April 2011 they stole Sh. 5,514,151 from their employer. They are alleged also, alleged to have stolen from the society h. 180,870 between May 25 2009 and September 3 2009..
Mbithi was charged of having transferred a piece of plot in Athi River which belonged to a deceased person. The two were freed on a bond of Sh.350 and a surety of the same amount. The case is scheduled to be heard on July 3 this year.
Romana Ngina Kitusa, commonly known as Mrs Wafula, a surveyor in Machakos town who is alleged to have been surveying the anauthorised works is alleged that on or about April 11 2011, at KatelemboSociety offices, jointly with others not before court, unlawfully effected the inclusion of entries of the name of ROMANA NGINA KITUSA in the titles register for Kyumbi ATHIRIVER/ ATHIRIVER BLOCK 1 purporting to be the owner of half acre parcels of land Nos. 2138x/R.M.4181, 2139X/R.M.4182, 2140X/R.M.4183, 2141X/R.M.4184, 1701X/R.M.4281, 1856/R.M.3429, 1566/R.M. 3496, and 2809/R.M.2596, genuine for issuance of title deed under her name by the Registrar of Lands Machakos District, the purpose which was unlawful.
The state has been introducing charges to the farm managers depending on outcome of investigations. Police had to apply to arrest and detain Kalunde, Mbithi and Nzau after they ignored police summons to record statements, leading to their being held for days as they recorded statements, leading to their prosecution.
They officials form the Management Committee and Supervisory Committee of the society. Others are former officials, a surveyor and broker – all listed as criminally culpable accomplices.
The Anchor understood that the police investigations involve as many as 24 government officials including a judge, co-operative and former district commissioners in Machakos who have over the years transformed the society to a cash cow. In the t process, they have ignored a probe report that recommended that the society be liquidated to allow members enjoy the benefits so that they (officials) can take advantage of the land remaining.
Our sources say that at least one Permanent Secretary has recorded a statement over illegal land transactions at Katelembu.
They are charged that on diverse dates between 30th April 2008 and 23rd May 2011at Machakos within Machakos County, jointly being servants as members of the Management Committee to a public body namely Katelembo, Athiani, Muputi Farming and Ranching Co-operative Society Ltd, willfully neglected to scrutinize, check and Confirm accounts, bank books, cash in hand and proper keeping of minutes of the Committee’s observations on the accounts, the duty which they were bound by The Co-operative societies Act of 2012 to perform, thereby occasioning a loss of Sh. 2,621,125/= to the said Katelembo, Athiani, Muputi, Farming and Ranching Co-operative Society Ltd.
The second count of stealing by servant alleges that Muinde, Kasinga and Mutua, on diverse dates between August 2009 and 25th March, 2011, being servants to the Society, jointly with others not before Court stole Sh. 1,937,628/=, which came into their possession, on account of the said employer, the Katelembo, Athiani, Muputi, Farming and Ranching Co-operative Society Limited.
The third count alleges that Muinde and Mutua, on 6th January,2011, being servants of the society, with others not in court stole Sh. 66,000/=, which came into their possession as officials of the society.The fourth count claims that Kasinga, Ngui and Mutua stole Sh. 58,000 on February 14,2011, as servants to the Society, with others not before Court.
The fifth charge alleges that Kalunde, who is a County Representative, on diverse dates between April 30, 2008 and May 23, 2011, being a servant to the Society, with others not before Court stole Sh. 531,300/=, in the same circumstances.
Muthama is alleged, on diverse dates between April 30, 2008 and May 23, 2011, with others not before Court stole Sh. 264,000.
The eighth count states that Muinde, on diverse dates between April30, 2008 and May23, 2011, with others not before Court stole Sh. 142,500
Kasinga is alleged to have stolen Sh 93,800 on the same dates and circumstances
Nzau, alias Mukoloni, a well-known businessman in Machakos is claimed to have stolen Sh 38,000 on the same dates and circumstances.
Muli faces the same charge for allegedly stealing Sh. 12,000 on the same date and circumstances.
They however denied the charged before Machakos Magistrate Mr M.K Mwangi..
