Three KDF officers charged at the Martial Court over recruitment fraud

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Three Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers have been charged at the Kahawa Garrison in Nairobi for various offenses of corruption during the 2021 countrywide military recruitment drive. Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Kiptum Poghisio, Corporal Tyren Ketah and Gunner Anthony Kimeiwa Leboo were each charged on multiple counts of deceiving unsuspecting Kenyans they can influence the recruitment process in their favour.

Lt. Col. Kiptum was charged on five counts; disobedience to KDF Standing Orders, conduct to prejudice of good order and service discipline as well as committing a civil offense contrary to the KDF Act 2012. On count one, the first accused was alleged to have solicited the particulars and academic qualifications of Musa Kipirken on 8 February 2021 in an attempt to recruit him to the KDF.

He was further alleged to have received the particulars of Rebecca Makonjo on 20 January 2021 by pretending he was in a position to help her get recruited as a Tradeswoman in the KDF. On a third count, Col. Kiptum was alleged to have received Sh10,200 from Kiptoo Bwaley in the false pretense he would have him shortlisted as a Specialist Cadet during the recruitment exercise.

On Cpl. Ketah, while attached as a driver to senior Recruiting Officer (SRO) Lt. Col. Stanley Kithuya, and with intent to unduly influence the recruitment of Joyce Wambui allegedly communicated with Cpl. Peter Mbugua. The accused was alleged to have received Sh200,000 from Patrick Nderi, father to Wambui, by false intent that he would recruit her daughter in the military.

Gunner Kimeiwa on the other hand received Sh230,000 from Phillip Nkapapah on February 21st, on behalf of Dominic Sankori and another Sh40,300 from Kiptoo Bwaley by falsely pretending he was capable of influencing the recruitment of the two into the KDF. On another count, Gnr Kimeiwa was alleged to have canvassed with Lt. Col. Kiptum by sending particulars of Kiptoo Bwaley via WhatsApp to have him recruited.

The three denied all the charges when they appeared before Principal Magistrate Hoseah Mwangi. Their cases are adjourned to 11th June 2021 for a pre-trial conference. The three are among five officers who were arrested following complaints by the members of the public who termed the recruitment drive as fraudulent.

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