The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Former Sports Principal Secretary and ex-ambassador Peter Kirimi Kaberia has been charged alongside eight other individuals and companies over the alleged misappropriation of Ksh330.57 million set aside for the hosting of the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Kaberia, Stephen Njoroge Muthuma, Enock Onditi Ondwari, John Kiende Ruga, Samuel Mbaa Njoroge and others are accused of conspiring to commit an economic crime during their time in public service.
The alleged offences are said to have occurred between January 23, 2017, and January 19, 2018, while some of the accused were serving at the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Arts State Department for Sports and Sports Kenya.
According to the prosecution, the funds were issued as an advance payment to Auditel Kenya Limited for the design, supply, testing, commissioning and supervision of security access control, communication, audio-visual and ICT lighting systems at five stadiums selected to host CHAN 2018.
Kaberia Faces Abuse of Office Charge
Kaberia is also facing an abuse of office charge over the award of a Ksh330.5 million tender to Auditel Kenya Limited.
The prosecution alleges that on September 14, 2017, Kaberia improperly used his position as Principal Secretary to confer a benefit of approximately USD3.15 million, equivalent to Ksh330.57 million, to Auditel Kenya.
The charge sheet states that the contract was signed without the required procurement process under the Public Procurement and Disposal Act, 2015.
Accused Deny Charges
Kaberia and the other accused appeared before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Isabella Barasa on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, where they denied the allegations.
Those charged include Muthuma, Onditi, Kiende, Mwangi and Samuel Mbaa Njoroge, as well as Leaspride Limited, Taxwise Africa Consulting LLP and Liroma Assurance Services Limited.
Mwangi entered a plea on his own behalf and on behalf of Leaspride Limited, while Samuel Mbaa Njoroge also represented Taxwise Africa Consulting LLP and Liroma Assurance Services Limited.
The defence team, led by lawyer Assa Nyakundi, asked the court to grant the accused reasonable bail and bond terms.
Nyakundi argued that the accused were established Kenyan citizens who had served the country and had permanent residences, making them unlikely to flee.
Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru separately argued that the accused were victims of circumstances.
The prosecution did not oppose the application for bail and bond.
Court Grants Bail
Magistrate Barasa granted Kaberia, Muthuma, Onditi, Kiende, Mwangi and Leaspride Limited a Ksh3 million bond each, with an alternative cash bail of Ksh1 million.
Samuel Mbaa Njoroge and the two companies associated with him were granted a Ksh2 million bond, with an alternative cash bail of Ksh600,000.
The court also directed all the accused to surrender their passports and barred them from travelling outside the court’s jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, the magistrate directed Harun Chebet Komen, Marcos Gonzalez Puente, Auditel Kenya Limited, Muema Kitheka, Restea Enterprise Limited, Ephraim Muchangi Kinyua and Leasepath Limited to appear in court for plea-taking.
The matter will be mentioned on September 15, 2026.
