The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved the prosecution of nine individuals, including three National Treasury officials and six business proprietors or company directors, over alleged misappropriation of Sh1.57 billion from the Programme for Rural Outreach of Financial Innovation and Technologies (PROFIT).
The decision follows an inquiry file submitted to the DPP by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) concerning allegations of embezzlement of Sh1,569,582,338.20 by officials tasked with coordinating the PROFIT programme.
In a statement dated August 18, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) said it conducted an independent and thorough review of the inquiry file and established that there was sufficient evidence to charge the suspects.
The charges to be preferred include abuse of office, unlawful acquisition of public property, uttering a false document, financial misconduct, acquisition of proceeds of crime and money laundering.
The ODPP said the suspects include three National Treasury officials and six business proprietors or company directors.
The DPP has directed that the suspects, together with the implicated companies and businesses, be charged before a court of competent jurisdiction.
The ODPP said it remains committed to upholding the rule of law, safeguarding public resources, promoting integrity in public finance management and ensuring accountability where criminal conduct is established through investigations.
