Three individuals were granted release on Monday on a bond of Sh3 million each, with a surety of a matching sum, after being accused of plotting to commit a serious crime.
The three individuals—Otieno Atanga, Stephen Ogolla, and Gicheru Kamau, also known as Aden – allegedly conspired to steal US$398,000 (equivalent to Sh60 million) from Vjay Vrima between September 4 and December 30, 2023.
The charge sheet presented in court stated, “Erick Otieno Atanga, Alex Stephen Ogolla, Mofat Gicheru Kamau alias Aden, along with others not present in court, conspired on various dates between September 4, 2023, and December 30, 2023, at an undisclosed location within Nairobi County, Kenya, to commit the crime of theft.
They falsely claimed to Vjay Vrima that they could secure a tender for the supply of laptops and other equipment to the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Digital Economy under contract number MICT/VOL.1/VACC/2023-1, which they knew was untrue.” Additionally,
Otieno Atanga,Stephen Ogolla,Gicheru Kamau
They were accused of fabricating a false document on November 1, 2023, with the intent to deceive NVT Mobile Telcom and Accessories Trading FZCO company of Sh60 million. This fabricated document was a request for a quotation with the reference number MICT/VOL.1/VACC/2023-1, purported to be genuine and issued by the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Digital Economy, despite knowing it was false.
During their appearance before Milimani Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina, the trio pleaded not guilty to the charges. They were subsequently released on the aforementioned bond terms or an alternative of a surety with security. Magistrate Onyina instructed the prosecution to provide the defense with statements from witnesses.
