Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok has been handed temporary reprieve after he was released on a Ksh5 million cash bail and several tough conditions after spending the night at a police station in Kilimani. Barchok pleaded not guilty to corruption related charges at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, with presiding Magistrate Zipporah Gichana setting bail terms at Ksh15 million bond or a Ksh5 million cash bail. The magistrate noted that although the prosecution did not oppose the bail, the charges laid against the county boss were serious and warranted strict conditions. "The accused persons are directed not to contact or interfere with prosecution witnesses either directly or through proxies," the magistrate ordered.
Bomet Governor Hillary Barchock at a past event, May 12, 2024.
Photo Hillary Barchock Barchok was charged with seven criminal counts ranging from conflict of interest to money laundering in connection with alleged irregular payments linked to county government contracts.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) told the court that the governor unlawfully acquired an indirect private interest between November 14 2019 and March 10 2021. According to the DPP, the payments were tied to contracts awarded by the Bomet County Government to a construction company attached to Barchok.
