Former Kenyan tourism minister Najib Balala has been apprehended and brought to court on charges of corruption, marking the first arrest of a former minister since President William Ruto assumed office last year, pledging to combat corruption in the country.
The accusations against Balala and other ex-officials revolve around allegations of inflating the cost of a tourism college construction project. In court, Balala refuted the charge of abuse of office, specifically pertaining to an irregular payment amounting to $21 million (£17 million).
Having served as the tourism minister for an extensive 12-year period across three consecutive administrations, Balala resigned in 2022 as President Uhuru Kenyatta concluded his term.
The court proceedings took place in the coastal town of Malindi, where Balala appeared alongside Leah Gwiyo, a former permanent secretary at the Ministry of Tourism.
This arrest underscores President Ruto’s commitment to addressing corruption, a longstanding issue that has plagued the nation.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case is poised to shed light on alleged financial irregularities and bring accountability to high-ranking officials implicated in corrupt practices.
