Former Kisii Speaker David Kombo And Deputy Clerk Daniel Omwoyo Released On Bail Over Irregular Hiring Case
The Mt Kenya Times 
Former Kisii County Clerk David Kombo before Kisii Law Courts accused of abuse of office and the irregular employment of a clerical officer. Photo/Elizabeth Angira
By Elizabeth Angira
Former Kisii County Assembly Speaker David Kombo and Deputy Clerk Daniel Omwoyo have been released on a cash bail of Sh50, 000 or an alternative bond of Sh100,000 each.
The two were arraigned in Kisii Law Courts, following their arrest by officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
According to the charge sheet, the duo are accused of abuse of office and the irregular employment of a clerical officer at the County Assembly.
Mr. Kombo, who previously served as South Mugirango Member of Parliament for two terms, was arraigned in court on Tuesday. Mr. Omwoyo had appeared before the court a day earlier.
The particulars of the case indicate that Mr. Omwoyo unlawfully appointed his niece, Ms. Everline Maraburi, as a Clerical Officer at the County Assembly eight years ago.
The appointment was reportedly done without the involvement of the County Public Service Board and contrary to laid-down recruitment procedures.
EACC stated that Ms. Maraburi, upon her appointment, served as Mr. Kombo’s Personal Assistant (PA) on permanent and pensionable terms contrary to the guidelines set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).
The Commission further claimed that Mr. Kombo abused his office by authorizing the irregular hiring, thereby conferring an undue benefit.
Appearing before Senior Principal Magistrate Joshua Nyariki, Mr. Kombo pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Before he took his plea, his lawyers Wilkins Ochoki and George Morara requested the court to defer the plea-taking to next week.
They argued that the co-accused, Mr. Omwoyo, had been directed by the court to appear on April 14, and therefore Mr. Kombo’s plea should align with that date. They also cited his advanced age and fragile health.
“Your Honour, our client recently underwent heart surgery. He is diabetic, has high blood pressure, and continued detention poses a serious risk to his health. He is a well-known businessman in Kisii town and not a flight risk. We are, therefore, requesting that he be released on a free bond,” Mr. Ochoki pleaded
Speaking to the press after the court session, Mr. Kombo’s lawyer, George Morara, alleged that the arrest was politically motivated. However, he refrained from naming anyone behind the alleged scheme.
“The officers who arrested Mr. Kombo in Nairobi were acting on orders from someone. While I may suspect certain individuals, I cannot say definitively that a specific person is orchestrating a witch hunt against him,” said Mr. Morara.
Mentioning will be on 14th April
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