A Nairobi-based land official, Richard Zenda Kirui Bongei, has been charged with allegedly forging an official letter purportedly authored by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
He appeared on Wednesday before Milimani Magistrate Dolphina Alego, denying multiple charges including forgery, uttering false documents, and conspiracy to commit a felony, laid against him by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The court heard that Bongei forged a letter referenced 2010002101/35, dated 6th May 2024, addressed to the Chairman of the Public Service Commission regarding the “Renewal of Local Agreement Terms.”
The prosecution alleges that Bongei knew the document was false and intended to deceive public officials.
“The accused purported to have authored and executed an official letter to the Chairman of the Public Service Commission, a fact he knew to be false, with intent to mislead,”the charge sheet stated.
In the second count, Bongei is alleged to have made a document without lawful authority, again presenting it as genuine correspondence from CS Murkomen.
The third count relates to uttering a false document, allegedly on 15th July 2024, while the fourth count charges him with conspiracy to commit a felony, in collusion with another person not before the court.
Bongei denied all the charges.
His lawyer argued that the accused had no knowledge of the forged letter, claiming that his mobile phone had been used to transmit the document without his consent or awareness.
“My client did not author or approve the letter. He is cooperative, not a flight risk, and we request personal bond or reasonable cash bail,”the defence counsel told the court.
The prosecution did not oppose the bail request. Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Alego granted Bongei a bond of KSh 300,000 with one surety of similar amount, or alternatively cash bail of KSh 150,000 with a contact person.
The court also directed him to deposit his passport, restricting his travel until the matter is concluded.
“The accused is to deposit his passport, and the matter will be mentioned for pre-trial directions on 3rd December 2025,”the court ruled.
