NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 13 – Former Mandera South Member of Parliament Adan Haji Ali Sheikh was on Tuesday arraigned before Mombasa Chief Magistrate Alex Ithuku for illegally awarding his firm a tender worth Sh51,456,006.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) said Ali was charged with conflict of interest, contrary to Section 42(3) as read with Section 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act 2003.
According to the prosecution, the former legislator, being an employee of the Kwale County Government, awarded his Kwale based hotel, Lofta Resort, a catering service tender amounting to Sh51,456,006 between May 10, 2013 and May 10, 2017, within Kwale County.
The former Mandera South legislator pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released on a bond of Sh2,000,000 with one surety of a similar amount in the alternative a cash bail of Sh500,000.
The case being prosecuted by Peter Kiprop, Alex Gituma and Victor Simbi, will be mentioned on February 27, 2024, for pre-trial.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) had summoned the former legislator on February 5, regarding the alleged offense.
According to the EACC, Haji was implicated in corrupt activities during his tenure as the Tourism County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in Kwale County between 2013 and 2017.
The anti-graft agency alleged that “the suspect utilized his hotel facility, known as Lotfa Resort Diani Limited, to conduct business with the County Government.”
It further explained that the hotel, owned by the suspect’s wife and son, provided accommodation and conference services to the county government at inflated prices.
“The suspect also failed to disclose his personal interest during the tendering and award process, thereby engaging in a conflict of interest, which is against the law,” the EACC stated.Top of Form
