Ex-tourism minister of Kenya charged

NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya’s anti-corruption commission Friday charged the country’s former tourism minister and two others with economic crimes, alleging fraud of tens of millions of dollars in inflated costs for the construction of a hospitality college.

Najib Balala; former principal secretary Leah Addah Gwiyo; and the managing partner of West Consults, John Odero, appeared before Principal Magistrate James Mwaniki in the coastal town of Malindi, where they denied the charges.

Balala is the first high-profile person to be charged with corruption under President William Ruto’s administration. The three were released after posting bail.

Thirteen other suspects are expected to be charged with corruption offenses and economic crimes for the alleged malfeasance that took place 16 years ago. Balala was then serving in the government of late President Mwai Kibaki.

The original cost of the Ronald Ngala Utalii College on the East African coast approved by the minister of finance was about $12.5 million but was inflated to more than $66.7 million, according to an Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission statement.

Ruto has been under pressure to take tougher action against corruption in Kenya as he increases taxes and widens the tax bracket. He says he has increased taxes so that the country doesn’t default on paying public debt. The taxes have increased the cost of living and have been opposed by many Kenyans who believe that without tackling endemic corruption in the country, the money will be stolen.