Headlines in the Kenya media on Friday reported in detail about 10 serious charges the former minister was facing, when in fact the update provided by the former minister has a very different reality.
The 10 charges turned into one not-so-serious charge after today’s court hearing.
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Former Kenya Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala was arrested on Thursday by detectives from the anti-graft agency. The arrest is the result of allegations stating that the Tourism Fund fraudulently disbursed Sh8.5 billion (equivalent to US$54,313,098) for the establishment of the Coast branch of Kenya Utalii College, which was later renamed Ronald Ngala Utalii College, during Najib Balala’s tenure as a minister.
Once complete, Ronald Ngala Utalii College was supposed to offer top-notch hospitality training, but also turn around the economy of Kilifi County and the Coast region at large.
Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) spokesperson Eric Ngumbi said Balala will be flown to Mombasa from Nairobi and later driven to a Malindi court.
The former minister was arrested alongside three others including Leah Adda Gwiyo, the former Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, and Joseph Odero of West Consult Engineers. A total of 16 people were indicted in this investigation.
The persons were detained by EACC, due to their alledged involvement in the disbursement of Sh18.5 billion (USD 118,210,861) intended for the development of Kenya Utalii College in Kilifi. Furthermore, a sum of Sh4 billion (US$ 25,559,105) was remitted to a company for advisory assistance regarding the planned Ronald Ngala Utalii College in Vipingo, Kilifi County.
Kilifi is a town on the coast of Kenya, north of Mombasa. It’s near Kilifi Creek, along an estuary of the Goshi River. The town is known for its Indian Ocean beaches, including Bofa Beach, and its many resorts.
The suspects are facing ten counts of corruption and economic crimes, including procurement fraud and misappropriation of public funds. They will be flown to face court proceedings in Malindi.
Malindi is a town on Malindi Bay, in southeastern Kenya. It sits amid a string of tropical beaches dotted with hotels and resorts. Malindi Marine National Park and nearby Watamu Marine National Park are home to turtles and colorful fish.
Balala and the other suspects are facing ten counts of corruption and economic crimes, including procurement fraud and misappropriation of Sh8.5 billion of public funds, EACC said. Detectives were searching for more suspects in the case.
After their arrest Thursday night in Nairobi, they spent the night at the Kilimani police station ahead of their arraignment.
The former Secretary of Tourism Najib Balala is regarded as one of the most experienced, longest-serving, and respected tourism ministers in Africa, if not in the world.
He was leading the UNWTO Executive Council before making him one of the most powerful people in the global travel and tourism industry
Balala was awarded the Tourism Hero title by the World Tourism Network at an event he hosted at the Kenya Stand at World Travel Market in London in November 2021.
Balala is also a man under demand. In aligning himself with other tourism ministers who have influence and are considered global leaders, such as the minister of tourism for Saudi Arabia or Jamaica, Balala became the African Minister for many.
His story starts like the story of another capable former Zimbabwe tourism minister, Dr. Walter Mzembi, who still lives in exile from Zimbabwe after trumped-up and false charges chased him out of the country for obvious political reasons. After his country destroyed his excellent reputation he was found not guilty.
In Maldives over the year several ministers of tourism were arrested, including former president Gayoom.
eTurboNews is currently following this story directly from Kenya and will update as it progresses.
(eTN): Najib Balala Arrested: Former Kenya Tourism Secretary Faces 10 Corruption Charges | re-post license | post content
