NAIROBI Kenya August 20 -Eleven Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers have been jailed for a total of 44 years for being involved in corrupt deals dealing the July 2022 military recruitment.
According to the Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale in his report tabled in the National Assembly, 14 other cases are pending under investigations while three others have been withdrawn.
Senior Private Isack Mwangi Maina from the Defense Forces Memorial Hospital was sentenced on May 12, 2023 to 18 years for obtaining money was also dismissed from the service.
Two officers of the rank of a Major, one Captain, three Corporals, a Constable, a Gunner and three Senior Privates are among the soldiers whose cases have been concluded in court.
Nine of them were charged with obtaining money and two others with influencing recruitment and furnishing false documents respectively.
“All these officers faced court martial precisely because of recruitment malpractices. To serve as a deterrent, all suspected cases have been thoroughly investigated, and those found culpable are subjected to the judicial process in the form of court-martial, often leading to dismissal from service or imprisonment,” said Duale.
A report detailing the status of the completed and ongoing cases of individual officers, more so General Officers, who have been prosecuted since the last recruitment held in July 2022 shows that major JK Muriuki of the 75 Air Defense Artillery Battalion who is accused of obtaining money in 2021 is scheduled to appear before the KDF court martial for a defense hearing on September 29.
On the other hand, Major J Wasike from the Defence Headquarters, camp Administration Unit deployed in Langa’ta Garrison was sentenced to 2 years and 10 months’ imprisonment on each of the two counts on January 20 this year for obtaining money while Major Kenyakisa from Laikipia Airbase who was deployed at Kahawa Garrison was sentenced to one year imprisonment for each of the count for obtaining money. The judgement was delivered on June 23, 2023.
Duale tabled the report when he appeared before the Members of Parliament to respond to questions from Kacheliba MP Titus Lotee on the measures being taken to avoid malpractices in the upcoming KDF recruitment scheduled for August 28.
The CS assured Kenyans that they were determined to protect Kenyans from fraudsters posing as KDF recruitment agents, who are bent on marring an open, free, and fair recruitment process.
Defence ministry has also asked the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and all other civil society organizations within the locality to be on standby to ensure that exercise is free and fair.
According to the report, Corporal Tylen Machangoh from the School of Ordinance who was overseeing the exercise at Kahawa Garrison and was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment on July 21 2022 while Corporal Inyangala from Kenya Naval Training College Mtongwe was jailed for one year.
Others are Senior Private R. Busena from Kenya Navy Base Manda (5 years 4 months), Constable Job Maiwa Lukale Defence Forces headquarters (5 years,4months), Captain Dr RT Ngowah from the Defence Forces Memorial Hospital (5 years 6months), and Corporal EN Nzioka from the Transport Battalion (6years).
The report further reveals that Gunner Festus Olukohe for 75 Air Defense Artillery was dismissed from the service on May 23, 2023 for obtaining money while senior private B A Onchomba from the 7-Kenya Rifles was sentenced to two years imprisonment on June 16, 2023 for furnishing false documents during his enlistment.
Some of the soldiers under investigations have also escaped from custody, according the CS. They include Corporals Maina Wang’ombe from Kenya Military Academy and Fredric Rotich from Army Special Operations Brigade Field Workshop who were accused of obtaining money.
The cases pending under investigations involve Lieutenant Colonel TK Poghisyo from the joint command and staff college, Gunner Anthony Kimeiwa from the 75 air Defense Artillery, Sergeant Robert Kipkemoi Kirwa from the Recruit Training School, and that of Captain J Mulanga from the Kenya Navy.
Others are Corporal Martin Michuki Kabugi from the 40 Ranger Battalion, Senior Private Anthony Nyamu from the Eastern Command Headquarters, and Corporal G Biwott Kipya from the Kenya Military Academy.
The defence hearing in cases against Senior Sergeant Alfred Mlewa, Warrant Officer II Joan Otieno, Senior Private Brian Misiko, and Corporal Mutongori Kaheke have already been held.
Three cases –against Retired and re-employed Non-commissioned Officer 2 Henry Wafula Wanyonyi, Captain R.K Mutai and Lieutenant Colonel IK Mwenda –have been withdrawn.
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