A banker was yesterday charged with attempting to steal Sh157.9 million from the Kenya Electricity Generating Company.

Ms Serah Samato Roimen of Co-operative Bank denied the charge before Nairobi Chief Magistrate Boaz Olao and was granted a bond of Sh5 million with surety in the same amount.

This brings to six the number of people charged in the case.

Last week, Mr Henry Ombuna Nyanchae, George Amara Wangondo (accountants), Ms Jesca Sunday Oiro (secretary), all of KenGen, Alexander Barile Abduba and Robert Kipng'eno Kaimong of the Co-operative Bank were charged.

They are alleged to have committed the offence in Nairobi between August 9 and 21 jointly with others not before court.

The money was part of loan repayment by KenGen to the World Bank.

Ms Samato's case will be consolidated with that of the other five suspects to be heard on October 25.

In the same court, foreigners Savane Oumar, Jawaneh Abdulai, Kourouma Amadou and Bayo Yakouba were charged with possessing 30 kilograms of gemstones without a mineral dealer's licence.

Mr Abdulai and Mr Amadou did not plead to the charges because they understand only French. An interpreter would be made available today.

A Briton who admitted being in the country illegally was jailed for six months without an option of fine.

Mr Olao ordered that James Rex Nesbit be repatriated after serving the sentence.