Former National Museums of Kenya (NMK) Director-General Mzalendo Nyaga Kibunja and four others have been freed on a Ksh5 million cash bail after pleading not guilty to charges levelled against them.

The five were arraigned at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, on ten counts including corruption, money laundering and conspiracy to commit fraud.

The four persons accused alongside Kibunja are; Stanvas Ongalo Opijah - Director, Human Resource and Administration, payroll section ICT Officer - Oliver Okinyi Rabuor, payroll section accountant - Wycliffe Odhiambo Ongata, and Ghost employee recruiter Oscar Mwaura.

Kibunja, Rabuor, Mwaura, and Ongata were arrested by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Monday, April 15 in connection with the embezzlement of Ksh490 million from NMK between fiscal years 2015/2016 and 2021/2022.

According to EACC, the NMK officials were embezzling public funds through irregular payment of salaries to ghost employees, which were later transferred to senior officials. 

The officials were charged with the following offences;

1. Conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption contrary to Section 47A (3) as read with Section 48 of Anti-Corruption and Economics Crime Act No. 3 of 2003. 

2. Abuse of office Contrary to Section 46, as read with Section 48(1), of the Ant-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act No. 3 of 2003.

3. Unlawful acquisition of public property contrary to Section 45(1)(a) as read with Section 48(1), of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act No. 3 of 2003.

4. Acquisition of proceeds of crime contrary to Section 4 as read with Section 16 of Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act No. 51 of 2012.

5. Money laundering contrary to Section 3(a) as read with Section 16 of Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act No. 51 of 2012.

6. Financial misconduct contrary to Section 197(1)(i) as read with Section 199 of the Public Finance Management Act no. of 2012.