Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok released on Sh15 million bond
Court documents show that on March 15, 2021, he transferred Sh300,000 to another of his accounts, followed by Sh314,000 and Sh100,000 in separate transactions on March 20, 2021.
Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok has been released on a cash bail of Sh5 million or an alternative bond of Sh15 million after denying corruption charges in a Sh2 million graft case.
Trial magistrate Ziporah Gichana, in her Tuesday ruling, said she had considered the seriousness of the offences, noting that they were allegedly committed while Barchok was still in office.
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"The first accused faces seven counts. I hereby grant him a bond of Sh15 million or, alternatively, a cash bail of Sh5 million," ruled Gichana.
Barchok's co-accused, Evans Kipkoech Korir, was granted a bond of Sh5 million or cash bail of Sh1 million.
Both were ordered to deposit their passports in court, refrain from commenting on the case, and not leave the court's jurisdiction without permission.
The magistrate also rejected a defence application for bond review. The matter will be mentioned on September 17 for pretrial.
Barchok faces charges of conflict of interest, acquisition, and use of proceeds of crime.
The prosecution alleges that between November 2019 and March 2021, he irregularly benefited from contracts awarded to Chemasus Construction Limited by the Bomet County Government, acquiring Sh2 million deposited into his Equity Bank account.
Court documents show that on March 15, 2021, he transferred Sh300,000 to another of his accounts, followed by Sh314,000 and Sh100,000 in separate transactions on March 20, 2021. On March 29, 2021, he allegedly sent Sh750,000 to an individual identified as Morris Munene Kinyua.
Together with Korir and Chemasus Construction Limited, Barchok is also accused of money laundering by arranging the transfer of Sh2 million in a manner meant to conceal its source.
Through lawyer Issa Mansour, Barchok denied the charges, with the defence arguing he is not a flight risk.
Mansour told the court that the governor cut short an overseas trip to return and face justice after learning of the summons.
He added that Barchok voluntarily surrendered to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), saving the agency the resources of tracing him.
Korir, represented by lawyer Julius Anyoka, also surrendered himself to the EACC on September 1.
Anyoka highlighted his client's determination to cooperate with investigators, noting he even rode on a boda boda to the commission's offices due to heavy traffic.
Prosecutor Vincent Monda did not oppose the bail application but urged the court to caution the accused against interfering with witnesses or commenting publicly on the matter.
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