Hefty fines will stop insatiable hunger of corrupt govt officers
Kenyan businesswoman Grace Wakhungu and MP John Walukhe when they appeared in an anti-corruption court for sentencing on June 25, 2020 after being convicted for the offence of defrauding National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) over Ksh313 million ($3.13 million) in a maize scam. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NMG
Chief Magistrate Elizabeth Juma sentenced a Kenyan MP, John Walukhe (yes, you read that right), to serve 67 years in prison while his co-accused Grace Wakhungu 69 years if they don’t pay fines amounting to more than Ksh2 billion ($19 million) for fraudulently receiving Ksh297 million ($2.7 million) from the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).
NCPB buys maize and other grains on behalf of the government. It is part of a government mechanism to ensure supply of these staples in times of shortages caused by drought or other emergencies. In other words, NCPB is part of a strategy to cushion the most vulnerable communities from hunger and starvation.
