Former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Planning and Devolution, Peter Mangiti, along with the Director General of the National Youth Service (NYS), Nelson Githinji, have faced a setback in their attempt to have their case related to the NYS scandal retried.
The duo sought to have the sole witness who has testified thus far recalled, but the defense attorneys for the other accused individuals argued for the continuation of the proceedings.
In his ruling, Milimani Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi expressed concerns that recalling the witness would unnecessarily prolong the case. Senior Assistant Deputy in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Alloys Kemo, informed the court of his intention to call 40 witnesses to support the prosecution’s case.
The charges against Mangiti and Githinji include embezzlement of public funds and attempting to persuade a senior deputy director-general, Mr. Adan Harakhe, not to pursue the investigation into the alleged conspiracy to misappropriate government funds. They are among 26 suspects implicated in the misappropriation of Sh791 million from the NYS.
Both Mangiti and Githinji have denied the allegations and were granted bail, set at Sh20 million each, with an alternative cash bail option of Sh3 million. Notably, Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru is identified as the first witness for the prosecution in this high-profile case.
