Kenyan former tourism minister arrested on corruption charges
Najib Balala, former Kenyan minister of tourism, and several individuals have been charged with fabricating the expenses associated with constructing a tourist college.
According to a report by the BBC on Friday, Mr Balala denied the accusation of abusing his position in court on an erroneous payment of $21 million (£17 million).
Mr Balala, who was the tourism minister for 12 years in three successive governments, stepped down in 2022 as President Uhuru Kenyatta left office.
He and a former permanent secretary at the ministry of tourism, Leah Gwiyo, recently appeared in court in the coastal town of Malindi.
Both denied the charge. They were released on a cash bail of $6,400.
The duo are being accused of using private consultants in 2010 for the project to build the tourism college in Kilifi county, despite the cabinet advice to the contrary.
The consultants have been accused of artificially inflating the cost of their services. Other suspects are expected to appear in court on 28 December.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Abuja
Remodelled Abuja City Gate reflects Nigeria’s character, pride, says Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu said on Thursday that the remodelled Abuja City Gate reflects Nigeria’s character and communicates the pride of its people.
Agriculture
Birds destroyed 250 hectares of farmland, Zamfara farmers cry out
Farmers have appealed for urgent government intervention after birds invaded their farms and destroyed crops.
States
Humanitarian minister urges companies to support FG’s poverty reduction drive
Humanitarian affairs minister Bernard Doro has urged corporate organisations to provide tangible corporate social responsibility initiatives to communities to reduce poverty.
Health
Abia governor seeks Stanbic partnership on infrastructure
The Abia government has expressed readiness to partner with Stanbic IBTC on infrastructure financing, targeting the proposed Abia Medical City, Obuaku Seaport and SME development.
Rights
Zamfara governor approves six-month maternity leave for civil servants
The Zamfara government has approved six-month maternity leave for female civil servants to promote exclusive breastfeeding and improve maternal and child health.
NationWide
Amnesty International, lawyers push for survivor-centred GBV response
The call came during a two-day training for lawyers and civil society representatives on the legal response to GBV, organised by the rights organisation in Owerri on Thursday.
