Businessman Bruno Oguda Obodha, Previously appointed by the State as Managing Director of East Africa Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) was on Monday arraigned at the Mavoko Law Courts over fraud-related charges.
Obodha appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Derick Kuto to take plea on six counts of forgery and intent to defraud on various dates in 2024.
His arraignment followed his arrest over the weekend by police officers executing a court-issued warrant after he failed to appear in court on February 14 to answer to the charges.
According to the charge sheet, Obodha is accused of forging a membership certificate number for Blue Make International Security Company Ltd, purporting it to be a genuine certificate issued by the Protective Security Industry Association.
He is also accused of altering a certificate membership No. 1360 for the same security association, with the intention of misleading the company.
Obodha allegedly committed the offense on November 11, 2024, at the East Africa Portland Cement Company (EAPCC).
Additionally, he faces a charge of making a document without authority, contrary to Section 375A of the Penal Code.
He is said to have created a fake license, No. 2007534, to establish a radio communication station under the name of Blue Make International Security Company Ltd.
Further charges include falsifying a tender guarantee No. 2024/0022478 and presenting forged documents to EAPCC, purporting them to be a valid tender application through Kingdom Bank on behalf of Blue Make International Security Company Ltd.
Obodha’s was released the accused on a bond of Ksh5 million with a surety of a similar amount or a cash bail of Ksh2 million with one reliable contact person.
The case is scheduled for mention on April 29, 2025, for further directions.
Meanwhile, on December 22, 2024, the EAPCC board nullified Obodha’s appointment by President William Ruto, which had been announced two days earlier.
The board cited integrity concerns and a potential conflict of interest.
In a letter addressed to the Cabinet Secretary for Industry, Trade and Investment, the board noted that Obodha is a director of Geoner Systems & Massel Real Property, a company appointed by EAPCC on December 22, 2023, to act as a selling agent for a portion of LR No.10424, raising a conflict of interest.
The board also disclosed that Brumec International Security Company Ltd, where Obodha is also a director, submitted a bid for a tender floated on October 23, 2024, using forged documents.
In the letter signed by board chair Brig (Rtd) Richard Mbithi, the board stated that it was not aware of the red flags at the time it forwarded three names for consideration for the MD position.
“As a listed entity on the NSE, these developments have serious implications,” the board wrote, distancing itself from the appointment.
