THE High Court yesterday stopped the Ethics and Anti- Corruption Commission from recovering Sh8.9 million from a tour firm accused of fraud. In a ruling, Justice David Majanja put on hold the proceedings initiated by EACC to recover Sh8.9 million from Maniago Safaris Ltd.

Majanja joined EACC to a suit filed by the firm and directed the parties to appear before him on Monday for the hearing of the case. Maniago moved to court on Monday seeking to clear its name arguing that it was never represented in the criminal case as required.

The company also distanced itself from the alleged transactions that led to the criminal charges saying it never authorised the transactions.

Maniago Safaris together with former PS Rebecca Nabutola, former Kenya Tourist Board managing director Achieng Ong'ong'a and Duncan Muriuki were charged with three separate counts of conspiracy to defraud and two counts of fraudulent acquisition of public property contrary to the Anti Corruption and Economic Crimes Act.

Nabutola and Ong'ong'a were each found guilty and sentenced to at least three years in prison plus fines of Sh1.5 and Sh2 million respectively. Muriuki will serve seven years in jail and pay a fine of Sh17.8 million.