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.
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