Tobiko said Onyonka connived to swindle the public off Sh21,250,628 by failing to pay Value Added Tax (VAT) for a sugar purchase meant for Internally Displaced Persons/FILE
Tobiko said Onyonka connived to swindle the public off Sh21,250,628 by failing to pay Value Added Tax (VAT) for a sugar purchase meant for Internally Displaced Persons.
He explained that Onyonka, who will be charged alongside James George Siro, bought the sugar from the Chemelil Sugar Company but did not remit tax claiming that it had been lawfully withheld by the Constituency Development Fund.
“The DPP has approved the recommendation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to charge Hon. Richard Onyonka with the offences of conspiracy to defraud the public and abuse of office relating to allegations of fraudulent failure to pay VAT amounting to Sh21, 250, 628,” read a statement from the DPP.
Tobiko at the same time cleared Bungoma Senator-elect Moses Wetangula of allegations of voter bribery during last year’s March General Election.
He said that there was insufficient evidence to warrant Wetangula’s prosecution adding that the police should close any inquiry into the allegations.
The police had also conducted the investigation into the matter before submitting the file to the DPP requesting for its closure.
“The DPP agreed with the recommendation by the Director of Criminal Investigations that the Inquiry did not disclose sufficient evidence to warrant prosecution of Hon. Wetangula or any other person over the alleged offences,” said Tobiko.
Wetangula had been accused of several electoral malpractices by his competitors among them voter buying.
His March 4, 2013 election was even challenged in Court with the Judge declaring that electoral malpractices were so widespread during the poll that it was necessary to nullify the win.
A by election was then slated for December 19 and Wetangula recaptured his seat.
However the competing parties once again characterised the mini polls by new claims of voter bribery, intimidation and violence.
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