Former University of Nairobi (UoN) Council member Joel Kibe has distanced himself from charges of abuse of office levelled against him.
The businessman is among five senior members, including Chairperson Prof. Amukowa Anangwe charged in connection with the irregular appointment of Daniel Brian Ouma Okeyo as Acting Chief Operations Officer.
Kibe was not among the council members who were taken to the EACC headquarters at Integrity Centre for questioning on Friday, May 16, and subsequently arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts.
Through his legal team (Mwaniki Gachoka & Co. Advocates), Kibe said he was stunned by the charges, stating that he was in Japan on official business on April 19, 2024, the date Ouma was allegedly appointed.
The lawyers have written to the EACC and attached supporting documents, including flight tickets, a passport copy, a boarding pass, and a gazette notice indicating that his earlier appointment to the University Council had been revoked by the Cabinet Secretary for Education.
“Our client has seen a charge sheet in circulation online, alleging that he, together with others, committed the said offence on the above date. We are instructed to inform you that Mr. Kibe was not in Kenya on 19th April 2024. He was, at the time, on official business in Japan,” said his lawyers.
“These documents clearly show that our client was physically absent from the country on the date the alleged offence was committed and therefore could not have been involved in any unlawful activity within Kenya at the material time” the law firm stated in the letter copied to the DPP.
The team argues that the exculpatory evidence demonstrates he could not have been involved in any unlawful activities.
“We respectfully request that your office consider this exculpatory evidence in determining whether to proceed with any charges against Mr. Kibe. Our client is ready and willing to cooperate fully with any lawful investigative process”, they said.
The council members denied the charges and were released on Ksh500,000 cash bail each, hours after their arrest.
Brian Ouma, Ag. Chief Operations Officer is facing charges of unlawful acquisition of public property of Kes 32,459,406.15, being salary paid to him by the University of Nairobi.
