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City Hall official who ‘ lives like a King’ says he can’t feed family


Suspended Nairobi County Chief Finance Officer Jimmy Kiamba, accused of stealing more than Sh400 million, is struggling to put food on his family’s table, a court heard on Tuesday.

Through his lawyer, Philip Nyanchoti, Mr Kiamba said he wanted orders freezing his bank accounts lifted, saying he couldn’t buy food, educate his children or pay bills.

Mr Nyanchoti was making his submissions after High Court Judge Msagha Mbogholi dismissed objections filed by Mr Kiamba to stop the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission from freezing his accounts in a local bank.

BANK ACCOUNTS FROZEN

Commission lawyer Benson Kyeli said he needed more time to file a response.

“We are ready to address the court because my client is in a very difficult position. He cannot meet his obligations since his bank accounts have been frozen and he has also been suspended from work,” Mr Nyachoti said.

“This is not a small matter because the well-being of the family is at stake. Let us dispose this matter instead of postponing it.”

Justice Mbogholi said the issue should be determined quickly and asked the two parties to make their submissions tomorrow.

The anti-graft commission said it suspected fraud after examining Mr Kiamba’s accounts.

It said his known gross monthly income was Sh85,000.

The anti-corruption agency said Mr Kiamba’s two accounts with CFC Stanbic Bank transacted more than Sh400 million between January and November 2014.

“Various sums were deposited in the two accounts almost daily and the respondent has made withdrawals and transfers of large sums of money from time to time,” the court heard.

UPMARKET PROPERTIES

Mr Kiamba has two maisonettes in South C, a town house in Kileleshwa, four apartments in Kilimani and four plots in Muthaiga, Mavoko and Machakos, the court heard.

An affidavit signed by Mr James Kamau Kariuki seeking orders to freeze the accounts said if that was not done, the money would be withdrawn, leaving nothing to compensate the public for the loss.

The orders were obtained on November 14, 2014 and were to end on May 14, 2015.

On May 8, 2014, the the commission asked for an extension. In objecting to the extension, Mr Kiamba insisted that he had not been involved in corruption, saying he had already given a clear response to the request for an explanation of the disproportionate income and assets.

“Since I made my response, I have not heard from the commission. If I had, I would have responded promptly,” he told the court.

“Most of the properties listed were charged to Equity Bank Limited to secure various facilities before the accounts were frozen. If the orders sought are granted, the bank will immediately require me to settle the balances due,” Mr Kiamba said in a May 14 affidavit.

SOURCE: Daily Nation