Former accountant at the State Department for Correctional Services, Humphrey Wende Abok, was on Tuesday, August 13 charged with fraudulent acquisition of public property amounting to KSh302 million.

The charges, presented at the Nairobi Anti-Corruption Court, allege that Wende and others defrauded the State Department for Correctional Services by receiving payments for goods that were never supplied.

The prosecution told the court that between July 1, 2014, and March 29, 2018, Wende, along with co-defendants, fraudulently obtained KSh301,908,000 intended for goods that were never delivered.

Wende faces additional charges of abuse of office, with eight counts under Section 46 as read with Section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Act, No. 3 of 2003.

The prosecution, led by Faith Mwila, detailed how Wende improperly allocated KSh42,920,000 to Homex Logistic Enterprises, KSh41,575,000 to Hygienic Ventures, KSh45,152,500 to Unique Supplies, KSh18,112,500 to Mulwa Farm Limited, KSh12,000,000 to Joslil Supplies, KSh4,780,000 to Reenn East Africa Company, KSh25,650,000 to Castro Suppliers and KSh50,875,000 to Stemu Supplies.

These payments were allegedly made for goods that were never supplied to the State Department for Correctional Services.

Wende pleaded not guilty to the charges before Principal Magistrate Celesa Asis Okore.

He was granted bail on a bond of KSh7 million, or an alternative cash bail of KSh4 million.

The court also instructed Wende to deposit his passport and other travel documents with the court.

The case is scheduled for mention on September 3, 2024.